Reasons Why Pharmacology Is Important

Pharmacology is a science of how different chemical agents, or drugs, affect biological systems and how living organisms respond to these substances. Besides, pharmacology ensures that both synthetic and natural medicines are effective enough and safe for human consumption. Without pharmacological studies, we would not be able to differentiate between therapeutic and toxic chemical agents, which could lead to fatal results. So, what makes pharmacology so important? Here are ten reasons why pharmacology matters:

Pharmacology Studies How Drugs Affect Biological Systems

Pharmacodynamics (PD) is a branch of pharmacology that studies the effects of drugs on different biological systems. In other words, pharmacodynamics is a study of what the drug does to the body. Primarily, it explores the molecular, biochemical, and physiological effects of drugs on various cellular targets. Pharmacodynamics also deals with determining desired and adverse activities of medicines as well as the duration of action. Therefore, pharmacodynamics is essential for identifying drug doses while considering the concentration of the drug, its benefits, and potential side effects. 

Pharmacology Is the Study of How the Body Responds to Drugs

Pharmacokinetics (PK) is another major branch of pharmacology that focuses on how biological systems respond to chemical substances. That is, pharmacokinetics explains what the body does to the drug. More specifically, pharmacokinetics studies how the drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted from biological systems. In addition, clinical pharmacokinetics applies the knowledge of PK principles and promotes safe and effective therapeutic drug management in patients.

Pharmacology Integrates Numerous Other Disciplines

With the aim to enhance the efficacy and decrease the toxicity of various drug therapies in patients, pharmacology integrates multiple other disciplines, such as cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, medicine, and pharmaceutical sciences. For that reason, pharmacology is often referred to as bridge science that uses knowledge of different basic scientific disciplines and translates it into practical drug development approaches. 

Pharmacology Explores Physicochemical Properties of Drugs

Understanding the physical and chemical properties of drugs is critical for successfully formulating effective medication. These properties are mainly influenced by the chemical structure of molecules and pharmacologists are responsible for identifying the corresponding physicochemical parameters. Size, shape, and polarity are three of the essential physical characteristics of drugs. On the other hand, the chemical properties of drugs include acid-base characteristics, solubility, lipophilicity, ionization, and permeability. Studying these parameters allows pharmacologists to determine the activity of drugs and their compatibility with other medicines.