A drug is a substance used for the prevention, treatment, diagnosis, mitigation, amelioration of disease or regulation of physiological functions. The overall concept of a drug includes the following:
1. chemical drugs: chemical drugs are drugs composed of synthetic or semi-synthetic chemical substances, such as aspirin, cephalosporin antibiotics, etc.
2. Biologics: Biologics are medicines manufactured through biotechnology, such as genetically engineered drugs, biosimilars, and so on.
3. Herbal medicines: Herbal medicines are a class of natural medicines, made from processed plants, animals and minerals, such as ginseng, licorice, and so on.
4. Proprietary Chinese medicines: Proprietary Chinese medicines are medicines made from Chinese herbal medicines in accordance with a certain preparation process, such as clearing heat and removing toxins granules, compound danshen drip pills and so on.
5. Herbal tablets: Herbal tablets are a kind of dosage form made from Chinese herbs, such as Banlangen, Yinqiao detoxification tablets and so on.
6. medical dressing: medical dressing is a kind of medicine used for surgical dressing and wound dressing, such as gauze, bandage and so on.
7. medical device: medical device is a kind of equipment or apparatus used for medical diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases, such as sphygmomanometer, electrocardiograph and so on.
All in all, medicine is a kind of substance widely used in medical treatment, health care and other fields, including chemicals, biological products, Chinese herbal medicines, proprietary Chinese medicines, herbal medicines, medical dressings and medical devices, etc. It is one of the most important substances for the maintenance of human health.