Abstract: Objective To study the Compendium of Materia Medica from the perspective of pharmacovigilance, mine and reorganize the pharmacovigilance thought of Chinese medicine and practical experiences in it. Methods By using traditional literature research methods, contents of prevention of drug toxicity in pharmacovigilance of the Compendium of Materia Medica, such as source and distinguishing, origin and harvest, processing, and prevention of adverse drug reactions etc. were summed up. Results Ideological system of prevention of drug toxicity of the Compendium of Materia Medica was formed. Conclusion There are mainly three aspects of prevention of drug toxicity in pharmacovigilance thought of the Compendium of Materia Medica, which are attaching great importance to species and distinguishing, processing and records of adverse drug reactions.

Key words: Compendium of Materia Medica, prevention of drug toxicity, pharmacovigilance thought