Pharmacologist

Summary

Pharmacologists evaluate the origin, effects and mechanisms of drugs and develop them for human and animal use.

Duties & Tasks

Pharmacologists may perform the following tasks:

  • discover, develop and evaluate substances for use in the treatment of disease
  • modify the chemical structure of an effective substance to eliminate undesirable side effects
  • devise and carry out experiments to determine how drug concentrations in the body change over time
  • test newly discovered or manufactured substances for their safety, characteristics and possible use as drugs
  • study what happens to a drug after it has been administered
  • investigate drugs for unwanted or dangerous side effects and if found establish why they occur
  • study other substances that affect living organisms, such as pollutants, poisons and insecticides
  • write scientific reports on research and investigations, as well as more general information for scientific, managerial, political and general audiences
  • provide policy and clinical advice to managers, politicians, primary producers, healthcare workers and the general public.

Specialisations

Clinical Pharmacologist

A clinical pharmacologist a specialist physician involved in direct patient care. They typically manage patients with multiple medical problems, who are often prescribed multiple medications that may or may not agree with each other.

Non-clinical Pharmacologist

A non-clinical pharmacologist specialises in research and experimental studies for the discovery and development of drugs for diseases.

Personal Requirements

  • enjoy and have aptitude for science and research
  • able to think logically and analytically
  • able to carry out detailed and accurate work
  • good communication skills
  • able to think creatively and solve problems
  • able to work as part of a team.

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