GC: n
S: http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/archive/mdd/v04/i05/html/05timeline.html (last access: 2 December 2016); http://pharmacology.uthscsa.edu/graduate/whatis_pharmTrack.asp (last access: 2 December 2016).
N: 1. 1721, formed in Modern Latin (1680s) from pharmaco- + –logy. Related: Pharmacological.
2. The study of drugs, their sources, their nature, and their properties. Pharmacology is the study of the body’s reaction to drugs. It emerged as a major area in American medicine largely due to the efforts of John Jacob Abel (1857- 1938) who stressed the importance of chemistry in medicine, did research on the endocrine glands, first isolated epinephrine (adrenaline), crystallized insulin (1926), and became the first pharmacology professor in the U.S.
4. Pharmacology programs differ from pharmacy degree programs. A degree in pharmacology does not prepare graduates to practice pharmacy in the U.S., whereas, a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree does. Pharmacology programs are offered both in U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy, as well as other institutions. AACP does not track the availability of pharmacology programs. For information about research careers in pharmacology, visit the web site for the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
5. Pharmacology is defined as the study of the interaction of drugs with living systems. Pharmacology is an essential component in the study of pharmacy and is included as one of the six major areas of instruction in the pharmacy degree curriculum. Student pharmacists study pharmacology to learn the effects of various doses of medicinal substances, as well as the different ways in which medicine can be introduced into the body. The effects of poisons and the means to overcome them are studied in toxicology. Generally, animal tests are required to learn the strength of drugs. Physicians know a great deal about pharmacology and toxicology; yet, as the expert about medications, the pharmacist must maintain this knowledge to an even greater extent. This subject has a fascinating history and continues to be relevant in modern times. It deals with a number of questions. For example:
- What is the molecular site of action,
- What are the changes caused by a drug in the normal function of tissues and organs,
- What is the relationship between the dose of a drug and its effect,
- How do drugs produce their effects, and
- What happens to drugs once they enter the body?
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=pharmacology (last access: 2 December 2016). 2. MedicineNet.com – http://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_foot_problems_pictures_slideshow/article.htm (last access: 2 December 2016). 3 & 4. http://www.pharmcas.org/preparing-to-apply/about-pharmacy/pharmacy-vs-pharmacology/ (last access: 2 December 2016).
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CR: amphetamine, clinical pharmacology, dosage, dose, fentanyl, human pharmacology, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, pharmacy (2), posology.
