A new beginning in medical anthropology: scope and relevance of ‘pharmaceutical anthropology’ in India

Authors : Abhradip BANERJEE, Gopalkrishna CHAKRABARTİ, Arnab DAS

Pages : 51-57

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Publication Date : 2014-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Over the years, medical anthropology like the discipline of anthropology as whole has gone through a lots of changes. The present article discusses about one of these latest modifications, a paradigmatic shift which spared the anthropological lens to look into other more important and contemporary issues in complex and heterogeneous societies. It discusses the issue how pharmaceutical anthropology emerged as subfield. Moreover this article aims at providing some of the historical underpinnings which led to the development of pharmaceutical anthropology. Finally, by discussing about some of the contexts and scopes of pharmaceutical anthropology in India it shows how anthropologists can contribute to the better understanding of present day health care system.
Keywords : Medical anthropology, pharmaceutical anthropology, health care system, Indian pharmaceutical industry