Pharmacology's Dark Past: Uncovering the Role of German and Austrian Professors During the Nazi Era

During the Nazi regime, pharmacology played a significant role. The importance of chemical warfare agents became clear during World War I. Medicines were crucial for treating diseases like malaria and typhoid fever. The goal was to keep soldiers fighting for as long as possible. A recent study looked at the directors of university pharmacology institutes in Germany and Austria from 1918 to 1963. It aimed to understand how pharmacologists were affected by the Nazi regime. Some were expelled, while others joined the political system. Researchers gathered detailed information from various archives and literature. They found that 63% of the institute directors were members of the Nazi Party or other Nazi organizations between 1933 and 1945. About half of the army's consulting pharmacologists were university directors. Additionally, around 40% of the directors conducted research directly for the German military. The study also revealed the political and racial persecution that led to expulsions. It highlighted the expulsion of Jewish professors starting in 1933. The study also showed the failed attempts at denazification by the Allies after 1945. This research is the first to combine existing data with new archive material. It provides a comprehensive picture of the development of university pharmacological institutes during the Nazi era. The study shows how deeply involved the German pharmacological community was in the Nazi system.