Subscribe to our newsletter. Pharmacology is the study of drug actions on biological systems. It includes the discovery, development, and actions of drugs, and investigation of the underlying processes which affect drugs and their actions. Pharmacy is a separate discipline and deals with the preparation, dispensing, and appropriate use of medication.
Pharmacists also provide services to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
The resources at the end of this article will point the student or professional to appropriate web sites from which to learn about pharmacology. The profession and study of p harmacy will be addressed in more detail in another article. Pharmacology is most commonly taught in medical schools and graduate schools, but some undergraduate courses are available. There are many post-graduate employment opportunities, including careers in academics, teaching, research, drug companies, and regulatory agencies. The academic paths vary, but generally include a strong grounding in biological and chemical sciences, as well as in mathematics.