The Therapeutic Arsenal in the Second World War (1939-1945)

Abstract

In one of the worst war times that humanity has ever experienced, such as the Second World War (1939-1945), there was a considerable development of the therapeutic arsenal and the Pharmaceutical Industry. It was during this period that penicillin, discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, was used; in which there was the creation of a rudimentary pharmacovigilance system and the need to assess the toxicity (safety) of the medicinal product before its commercialization. Additionally, it is noted that there were several personalities, from workers to distinguished politicians, who were dependent on substances such as morphine, heroin and methamphetamines that are still used today.
This publication aims to analyse the main advances in pharmacological therapy and relate the topic, whenever possible, to important military and social events in the final outcome of the Second World War. The use of antibiotics (e.g. sulphonamides, penicillin, and streptomycin), opioids (e.g., morphine and heroin), and central nervous system stimulants (e.g. amphetamines and cocaine) will be discussed in greater detail. Regarding methodology, a literature review was carried out, giving priority to scientific articles.
It was concluded that pharmacological advances and the discovery of new drugs during the Second World War were due to the enormous investment in research, on the part of governments and private investors, militarily favouring the bloc they supported, with the aim of increasing the state of alertness, energy, ability to concentrate and a sense of well-being, providing pain relief and treating soldiers’ bacterial infections so that they could fight effectively until victory.
Keywords: second world war, medicinal product, public health.