Pills appeared as early as Huangdi Neijing, but not only pills are considered as Chinese patent medicines, but also medicinal liquor and ointment can be seen in Huangdi Neijing.

However, it is difficult to verify whether these dosage forms are the first in Huangdi Neijing.

Huangdi Neijing was written in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, about the time of Kong Old Master Q Q.