What
is pharmacology?
Pharmacology is the branch of science concerned with the study of drugs
and how they affect living organisms. When most people think about the
word "drug", they usually associate it with illegal substances, such as
cannabis, heroin or cocaine. But in pharmacology, the word "drug" has
a much broader meaning than that; any compound that can modify the biological
function of living organisms can be considered a drug. This definition
includes not only medicines that have beneficial effects in the treatment
of various disorders, but also common everyday chemicals such as caffeine,
nicotine and alcohol, illegal substances of abuse, and a variety of man-made
or natural environmental toxins. Pharmacologists study the actions of
all these substances.
The word "pharmacology" itself comes from the Greek word for drug, "pharmakon".
Pharmacology not only encompasses the discovery of drugs, but also the
investigation of their chemical properties, mechanisms of action, uses
and biological effects. Within the discipline of pharmacology, there is
scope for studying many different aspects of how chemical agents act on
the body, and vice versa. For example, molecular pharmacology involves
the study of drug action at the molecular or cellular level. Systems pharmacology
focuses on agents affecting specific physiological systems, such as the
nervous system (neuropharmacology) or the cardiovascular system (cardiovascular
pharmacology). Behavioural pharmacology investigates how drugs affect
behaviour. Clinical pharmacology is another aspect of pharmacology that
focuses on the study of drugs in humans.
What is toxicology?
The related science of toxicology involves the study of the nature and
mechanisms of deleterious effects of chemicals on humans, animals and
other biological systems. The study of toxicology as a distinct, yet related,
discipline to pharmacology highlights the focus of toxicologists in formulating
measures aimed at protecting public health against hazards associated
with toxic substances in food, air and water, as well as risks that may
be associated with drugs.
What courses can I do?
There are many degree courses in which pharmacology and/or toxicology
are taught, including Science, Medical Science, Pharmacy, Medicine, Veterinary
Science and Dentistry. Students in Science and Medical Science courses
can elect to study these subjects as majors. In the other degree courses,
they are sometimes taught as compulsory components. There are a number
of Departments of Pharmacology
or Toxicology ( which may sometimes be combined with other Departments)
in Australia and New Zealand, and you can use this link to see a list
of these Departments. As part of its commitment to assist academic departments
in developing pharmacology curricula for different degree courses, ASCEPT
has also been working towards developing core
curricula that can be used as a guide by Departments when designing
their own curricula.
Careers in pharmacology and toxicology
Graduates of pharmacology and toxicology enjoy a range of career options.
You can be employed as a scientist in research programs in Universities
and Research Institutes, and/or take a teaching position in a tertiary
institution. You can find employment in a hospital setting, for example,
as a clinical pharmacologist involved in clinical trials, or you can work
for various government bodies that are responsible for the regulation
of therapeutic goods and other chemical and biological agents. Many graduates
find work in the pharmaceutical industry, where they are involved in basic
research, drug development or sales and marketing. Some graduates also
branch out into the areas of medical information and publishing of scientific
journals and books.
Because drugs and other biologically active chemicals have had, and will
continue to have, a profound impact on the quality of life of the population,
there will always be a demand for pharmacologists and toxicologists. Exciting
developments related to the sequencing of the human genome have highlighted
the vast number of potential new drug targets that can be exploited for
the alleviation of various diseases. In addition, there is always room
for improvement of existing drug therapies.
To sponsor Student Travel Grants, the Annual Scientific Meeting or to put an
advertisement/announcement in our E-news, please contact the Secretariat
Australasian Society of Clinical
and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists
Last
modified on September 4, 2006
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