Since the polymer prodrug concept was first proposed in 1970s

polymer pharmacy

as the interdiscipline of polymer science

material science

nano-science

pharmacy

clinical medicine and analysis science

has been quietly born along with the development of nanotechnology.In this paper

an overview of the progress of polymer drugs in pharmacochemistry

pharmaceutics

and pharmacodynamics is provided; the connection and distinction between polymer drugs and small molecule drugs in pharmacology and pharmacokinetics are outlined; the bottleneck tissues in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of polymer drugs are pointed out

especially the three states of polymer drugs and the transformation of the nano-particle drug through macromolecular drug to small molecular drug; the multiple obstacles on the pathway of polymer drugs such as capillary vessel wall

extracellular substance

cellular wall

etc.

are analyzed; the competition between the physiological targeting of human organs and the EPR effect of cancerous tissues is elucidated; the possible contribution and merits of polymer drugs in drug targeting delivery and in reversion of drug resistance are pointed out; the necessity of developing the related analytical methods is emphasized; and an urgent expectation is expressed that scientists and experts working in polymer science and in pharmacology cooperate with each other sincerely and effectively to promote the innovation and development in polymer pharmacy and polymer drug industry in our country.