Pharmacology

Pharmacology is a discipline that deals with the effects of pharmaceuticals or drugs on living systems, their manufacture, and their chemical properties.

  • Pharmacology is mostly related to studies involving the interactions between the chemicals and living organisms that affect the biochemical functioning of living beings.
  • The chemicals with medicinal properties are then termed pharmaceuticals.
  • The concept of medicines has been around for a long time with ancient people using specific plants and species as a form of medicine.
  • Modern-day pharmacology is involved in the efficient method of drug manufacturing by the use of natural sources and modern technology.
  • Pharmacology might be confused with pharmacy, but it should be understood that pharmacology deals with the research, discovery, and manufacturing of chemicals with biological effects that affect the cellular and systemic function of the organism.
  • The field also deals with drug composition and properties, synthesis and drug design, molecular and cellular mechanisms, signal transductions, molecular diagnostic, and biochemistry.
  • Biochemistry, in particular, is particularly important in pharmacology as the knowledge of the biochemical composition of a living organism is essential in order to assign an appropriate drug for treatment.
  • Pharmacology focuses on the determination of the mechanism of actions of different groups of drugs which provides a better understanding of the molecular functioning of the body.
  • The drugs or pharmaceuticals produced from various industrial might be either acquired from natural sources or produced by chemical means.
  • The most important group of organisms that produce antimicrobials include the actinomycetes, followed by fungi.
  • This represents a close relationship between pharmacology studies and mycology and bacteriological studies.
  • Besides, different technical advances made throughout the years have made it possible for the production of new and improved drugs via biotechnological means.
  • Pharmacology is further related to other disciplines like clinical medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
  • Other therapeutic agents might also help in decreasing the harmful effects of some diseases like diabetes, HIV, and cancer.