Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with living systems. The field involves how drugs alter physiological and biochemical systems of the body (pharmacodynamics), what the body does to drugs (with respect to drug absorption, distribution, biotransformation, and excretion), the rationale for the clinical use of drugs to make diagnosis, prevent or treat disease or for some other benefit to the recipient and the harmful effects of drugs and chemicals to living systems. Pharmacists are expected to be “the preeminent health care professionals responsible for the use of medicines in the prevention and treatment of disease” (Burke et al. Pharmacotherapy 2008; 28(6):806–815). As such, a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles of pharmacology is essential for the effective discharge of their duties. In this course, various classes of drugs and how they exert their effects on the different organs and systems of the body: their nature, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and the rationale for their use in treatment would be taught. The course builds upon student knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and other basic sciences and lay the foundations for the study of other advanced courses in the pharmacy programme.
- Teacher: Sristica Nair
- Teacher: Shivneel Singh