The museum is the successor and guardian of the first collections of medical museums of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. His collection originates from the collection of tools Artisan house, founded by Peter I, collections of Surgical, Pirogov and Military museums health.
The museum was founded in 1942 in Moscow. He was subsequently moved to Leningrad, where in 1951 opened its doors to visitors.
According wealth funds, reflecting the development of medicine and the activities of its outstanding representatives, the museum is one of the largest in the world. Archive of the museum contains more than 200 thousand. Units. Among them, a collection of paintings, medicines, medical instruments, uniforms military medics, medical books, documents, photographs, personal funds eminent medicine.