China Pharmaceutical University
A public Chinese university in Nanjing specializing in pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, and related biomedical disciplines.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
China Pharmaceutical University (CPU) is a public university in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, with a specialist focus on pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and is jointly sponsored by the ministry and the Province of Jiangsu. The university is one of China's dedicated institutions for pharmaceutical education, research, professional training, and international academic exchange. The institution traces its origins to the National Pharmacy College, established in September 1936 as a four-year pharmacy school. Its history was shaped by wartime relocation and several institutional mergers. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the college moved first to Hankou, now part of Wuhan, and later to Chongqing. In 1950 it became East China Pharmacy College. The pharmacy departments of Qilu University and Soochow University were incorporated in 1952, followed by the pharmacy class of Wuhan Central and South China College of Hygiene in 1953. The institution began postgraduate enrollment in 1955 and was renamed Nanjing Pharmacy College in 1956. In 1986, it merged with Nanjing College of Chinese Medicine and adopted the name China Pharmaceutical University. Jiangsu Pharmaceutical School joined the university in 2001. CPU became part of China's Project 211 in 1996 and came under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education in 2000. It is also included in the national Double First-Class Construction initiative. The university operates the Xuanwumen campus in central Nanjing and the Jiangning campus in the southeastern part of the city. Its academic structure includes schools devoted to pharmacy, traditional Chinese pharmacy, life science and technology, international pharmaceutical business, continuing education, and higher vocational education, together with departments covering basic sciences, foreign languages, social sciences, and physical education. The university's academic portfolio spans pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, basic medical science, public health, preventive medicine, public administration, and related professional fields. It has doctoral authorization in pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, and biology, as well as a professional doctoral authorization point in biology and medicine. Its postgraduate provision includes first-level master's programs and professional master's programs in areas such as pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, biology and medicine, applied statistics, public administration, and public health. Pharmacy is a nationally recognized key discipline, and the university maintains postdoctoral research stations in pharmacy and traditional Chinese medicine. Research is central to CPU's institutional identity. Its work covers drug discovery, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutics, traditional Chinese medicine, biotechnology, life sciences, and other areas connected with medicines and health care. The university has operated state- and province-level laboratories and research centers and has participated in national research programs, including projects supported by major state research and natural-science funding mechanisms. Its teaching and research activities support China's pharmaceutical sector while also contributing to academic collaborations abroad. As of 2024, the university reported 19,730 full-time students, including 448 international students. It is authorized to admit overseas pharmacy students, continuing-education students, and senior visiting scholars, and it also accepts students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. CPU maintains exchange agreements with more than 30 higher-education institutions in countries and regions including Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, and Hong Kong, and has broader academic relationships with institutions in more than 40 countries and regions. Its present positioning is that of a specialized, research-oriented public university serving pharmaceutical education, biomedical research, traditional Chinese medicine, and the broader medicines ecosystem rather than a commercial pharmaceutical company.
History
China Pharmaceutical University's institutional lineage begins with the National Pharmacy College, founded in September 1936 as a four-year pharmacy institution. The college's early development was interrupted by the Second Sino-Japanese War, during which it relocated from its original base to Hankou and subsequently to Chongqing. These wartime moves formed part of the wider displacement of Chinese educational institutions during the conflict. In June 1950, the institution was renamed East China Pharmacy College. A major period of consolidation followed in the early 1950s. In November 1952, the pharmacy departments of Qilu University and Soochow University were merged into the college. The pharmacy class of Wuhan Central and South China College of Hygiene was incorporated in 1953. The institution began accepting postgraduate students in 1955, marking an expansion from specialist undergraduate training toward advanced research education. The college was renamed Nanjing Pharmacy College in 1956. Its institutional scope broadened substantially in October 1986, when it merged with Nanjing College of Chinese Medicine and adopted the name China Pharmaceutical University. This merger helped establish the modern university's combined emphasis on Western pharmaceutical sciences and traditional Chinese medicine. Jiangsu Pharmaceutical School was later merged into the university in 2001. CPU's national status strengthened during the 1990s and 2000s. It entered Project 211 in 1996, joining a national program intended to develop a selected group of leading Chinese universities. In February 2000, it became directly administered by the Ministry of Education. The university was subsequently included in the Double First-Class Construction initiative, reflecting its continuing role in China's strategic higher-education and research system. The university is based in Nanjing and operates two principal campuses: the historic Xuanwumen campus in the urban center and the Jiangning campus in the southeastern outskirts. Its academic organization includes schools of pharmacy, traditional Chinese pharmacy, life science and technology, international pharmaceutical business, continuing education, and higher vocational education. Independent departments support basic sciences, foreign languages, social sciences, and physical education. State- and provincial-level laboratories and research centers support research in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. CPU's teaching and research portfolio has expanded beyond conventional pharmacy to include traditional Chinese medicine, biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, basic medical science, public health, preventive medicine, and public administration. The university has doctoral authorization in pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, and biology, plus a professional doctoral authorization point in biology and medicine. It also offers master's education through academic and professional degree routes and maintains postdoctoral stations in pharmacy and traditional Chinese medicine. Pharmacy remains a nationally important key discipline. Research at the university has been supported by national, provincial, and municipal funding programs. Its activities include drug-related basic science, pharmaceutical technology, life science, traditional Chinese medicine, and applied research connected with the pharmaceutical industry. The university's public mission combines talent development, research, and service to China's medicines and health-care systems. International engagement has become another part of CPU's institutional profile. The university has exchange agreements with more than 30 institutions in countries and regions including Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, and Hong Kong. It also maintains academic relationships with research institutions and universities in more than 40 countries and regions. By 2024, CPU reported 19,730 full-time students, of whom 448 were international students. The university remains an active public specialist institution rather than a commercial drug manufacturer or listed pharmaceutical company.
- 2001
Jiangsu Pharmaceutical School merged into CPU
[1]The university incorporated Jiangsu Pharmaceutical School, broadening its institutional resources and training base.
- 2000
Placed under direct Ministry of Education administration
[1]CPU became directly administered by China's Ministry of Education.
- 1996
Joined Project 211
[1]The university entered China's Project 211 program for selected leading higher-education institutions.
- 1986
China Pharmaceutical University formed
[1]Nanjing Pharmacy College merged with Nanjing College of Chinese Medicine and became China Pharmaceutical University.
- 1956
Renamed Nanjing Pharmacy College
[1]The institution adopted the name Nanjing Pharmacy College.
- 1955
Postgraduate enrollment begins
[1]The institution began enrolling postgraduate students, expanding its role in advanced pharmaceutical education and research.
- 1952
Pharmacy departments merged into the college
[1]The pharmacy departments of Qilu University and Soochow University were incorporated into East China Pharmacy College.
- 1950
Renamed East China Pharmacy College
[1]Following wartime relocation through Hankou and Chongqing, the institution adopted the name East China Pharmacy College.
- 1936
National Pharmacy College established
[1]The institution's predecessor, the National Pharmacy College, was founded in September as a four-year pharmacy school.
Products and positioning
Specialized public higher-education and research institution focused on pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, traditional Chinese medicine, and related biomedical disciplines.
Higher education · 1936
Pharmacy education
CPU's core offering is specialist education in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. Programs span undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and professional training routes, covering areas such as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacology, drug analysis, and related disciplines. Pharmacy is identified as a nationally important key discipline, making this the central academic pillar of the university.
Higher education and research · 1986
Traditional Chinese medicine programs
Following the 1986 merger with Nanjing College of Chinese Medicine, traditional Chinese medicine became an established part of CPU's academic identity. The university offers education and research in traditional Chinese pharmacy and maintains doctoral, master's, and postdoctoral activity related to traditional Chinese medicine.
Higher education and research
Biomedical and life-science programs
CPU teaches and researches biology, chemistry, biomedical engineering, basic medical science, public health, and biology and medicine. These programs connect pharmaceutical training with drug discovery, biotechnology, disease research, and broader biomedical applications.
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