Like pharmacists, pharmacologists deal with medicinal drugs like pain killers, antibiotics, and other drugs to regulate various diseases. But while pharmacists dispense the drugs to the public, pharmacologists do in-depth scientific research. They study known drugs (and other substances) and their interaction with the human body.
Pharmacologists’ research has made great contributions to medicine and health, from the eradication of diseases like polio to treatments for thinning hair and hyperactivity in children. This has all been achieved through the development of new drugs. And while great progress is being made in the field all the time, new challenges continue to present themselves. New discoveries raise more questions that stimulate more research.
Pharmacology involves many different sciences, including analytical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, and immunology. As a result, there are many specializations within the field. Some scientists study the effects of drugs upon the body. Others explore how drugs are absorbed into a body. Still others study poisons and diseases.
At an early stage, all of this research is done in a laboratory setting. However, some pharmacologists, especially those in the pharmaceutical industry, follow the drug-creation process from the lab to the shelf. They conduct further tests on human volunteers, oversee a trial release of the drug to selected areas, and then work with the marketing department to spread word about the drug’s benefits.
Pharmacologists require good organizational skills. A project can go on for years, and every part has to follow carefully laid-out protocols and government regulations to make sure all drugs are safe and effective. It’s important to prioritize which things need to be done first. At every stage of development, pharmacologists have to interact with many other people from various occupations.
Some pharmacologists are also physicians. Others teach at universities, on either a full-time or a part-time basis.
NOC Code: 3111