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Pharmacologists are specialists who develop and
test drugs for medicinal use. Their scientific method involves analyzing
chemicals and other substances to identify their positive and/or
harmful effects on humans and the environment to the end of understanding
and developing new therapies for disease. Diligence, perseverance, and creative
instinct are important characteristics for pharmacological research and development.
Pharmacologist
Areas of Specialization
Most pharmacologists specialize in one of several areas of pharmacology.
Clinical pharmacologists test drugs on human subjects; toxicologists
deal with the adverse effects of drugs and toxic actions of household,
environmental or industrial chemicals; forensic toxicologists study
the potential for harmful effects of drugs in man; medicinal chemists
design and synthesize chemical compounds for potential use in the
treatment of disease; and pharmacologists specialize in determining
the site and mechanism by which drugs act to better optimize the
therapeutic effects of drugs in the body. Some pharmacologists specialize
in particular parts of the human body. For example, neuropharmacologists
focus on drugs relating to the brain and nervous system; cardiovascular
pharmacologists study the effects of drugs relating to the heart
and circulatory systems; endocrine pharmacologists emphasize drugs
relating to hormonal balance; and psychopharmacologists study drugs
that influence mood and behavior patterns. Pharmacodynamics is the
study of the molecular, biochemical, and physiological effects of
drugs on cellular systems and their mechanisms of action. Pharmacokinetics
deals with the absorption, distribution, and excretion of drugs.
Work Environment
Pharmacologists work in schools of medicine, pharmacy, nursing,
dentistry, veterinary medicine, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry,
government agencies (Food and Drug Administration), and public and
private research institutes. Pharmacologists usually work in clean
laboratories equipped with sophisticated instruments.
Job Outlook
Nationally, the number of wage and salary jobs in pharmaceutical
and medicine manufacturing is expected to increase by about 26 percent
from 2004 to 2014. This excellent employment outlook is based on
the great number of new chemicals for use in industry and medicine
and new discoveries due to greater availability of genetic information.
Length of Training/Requirements
Most pharmacologists have Pharm. D or Ph.D. degrees. Because pharmacology
and the practice of medicine are closely related, some pharmacologists
become medical doctors and vice versa. Pharmacologists are highly
trained individuals who must have knowledge of chemistry, biology,
physiology, and mathematics. Fellowships in pharmacology are available
for specialized training which ususally consists of two years of
study. There are nine such programs available in the U.S. Pharmacologists
are represented by various professional orgnaizations such as the
American College of Clinical Pharmacology.
Licensure/Certification
No license is required.
Updated: 2007 |
