Résumé
Medicines -- industrial pharmaceutical products -- became a central object of study in medical anthropology only in recent years. This article reviews the historical conditions that led anthropologists, previously interested only in autochthonous knowledge of traditional "remedies," to consider modern medicines. A theoretical approach is taken to the discussion of the relation between medicine & culture. Several recent studies are presented with reference to five themes: the "chain of medicines"; anti-retroviral multi-therapies; studies in political anthropology & the critique of therapeutic systems; the "iatrogenic" dimension of medicines; & the emergence of neo-traditional medicines. These are discussed principally in relation to the scientific & industrial production of medicines. Adapted from the source document.