It is significant to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Academician Zhou Tonghui, the analytical chemist, and to learn the spirit of great scientists. Academician Zhou led researchers to overcome the difficulties of doping detection and established China’s Doping Control Center, demonstrating his dedication and patriotism. He also made outstanding contributions to the construction and development of the discipline of pharmaceutical analysis. This article is written as a tribute to Mr. Zhou’s contributions and spirit. It introduces the development history of China’s pharmaceutical analysis discipline, the establishment of its educational system, important achievements, and development trends. The article outlines the journey of the discipline from the early days of China, when the older generation of scientists worked hard to improve our pharmaceutical analysis standards, to the rapid development and international prominence achieved since the reform and opening-up period and after. The introduction covers the development of analytical methods and techniques, instruments and apparatus, improvements in drug testing methods, standards and guidance, talent cultivation, key achievements, and future trends.