Pharmacopeia Geral para o Reino e Domínios de Portugal 

Por ordem da Rainha Fidelissima D. Maria I. Tomo I. Elementos de Pharmacia,

Lisboa, Na Regia Officina Typographica. 1794

The "Pharmacopeia Geral para o Reino e Domínios de Portugal" is the first official Portuguese pharmacopeia. It was published in 1794 and established standards for the production, identification, and preparation of medicinal substances. The work was written by Francisco Tavares, a Portuguese professor of materia medica and pharmacy, born in 1750 and passed away in 1812.

In addition to establishing standards for the production and preparation of medicines, Tavares' pharmacopeia was adopted as the official standard for the manufacture and dispensing of drugs in Portugal and its colonies. An alvará by Queen Maria I made it mandatory for each pharmacy or drugstore, including those located in the colonies, to possess at least one copy of the work.

The "Pharmacopeia Geral para o Reino e Domínios de Portugal" was an important milestone in the history of pharmacy in Portugal. In addition to establishing standards for the production of medicines, the work was written in Portuguese, rather than Latin which was common in other pharmacopeias of the time, allowing for greater diffusion and application of the established standards.

The work is considered rare and valuable, as it is a significant piece of Portugal's pharmaceutical history, and is highly sought after by collectors and scholars of pharmacy and medical history.

Francisco Tavares (1750-1812) was a Portuguese professor of materia medica and pharmacy who is best known for his authorship of the first official Portuguese pharmacopeia, the "Pharmacopeia Geral para o Reino e Domínios de Portugal". Tavares was born in Lisbon in 1750, and he became a professor of pharmacy and materia medica at the University of Coimbra.

In addition to his work on the pharmacopeia, Tavares was also a prolific writer on medical topics. He authored several books on the subject, including "Instituições de Farmácia Teórica e Prática" and "Nova Teoria de Farmácia".

Tavares was an influential figure in the development of Portuguese pharmacy, and his work helped establish standards for the production and preparation of medicines in Portugal and its colonies. His contributions to the field were recognized during his lifetime, and he was appointed a Knight of the Order of Christ by the Portuguese Crown.

Francisco Tavares passed away in Lisbon in 1812, leaving behind a legacy of pioneering work in the field of pharmacy and materia medica.