Description
Pharmacology is the branch of biomedical science that deals with the study of drugs and their interactions with living systems. It is concerned with understanding how chemical substances, both natural and synthetic, affect biological functions through their interaction with the body. The term “pharmacology” is derived from two Greek words: “pharmakon” meaning drug and “logos” meaning study. Thus, pharmacology literally means the study of drugs. It encompasses all aspects of drugs including their origin, chemical nature, preparation, administration, mechanism of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, toxic effects, and interactions with other drugs or substances.
Pharmacology plays a critical role in the development of new drugs and the rational use of existing drugs for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. It is a dynamic and interdisciplinary science that integrates knowledge from physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and medicine to explore the mechanisms by which drugs exert their effects at the cellular and molecular levels.
