Introduction to pharmacology

1. Introduction to Pharmacology
Dr. Rahul Kumar Bhati

2. • Pharmacology is the study of drug effects on
the living systems.
• Greek: Pharmacon- drug; logos- discourse in
• The two main divisions of pharmacology are:
-Pharmacokinetics
-Pharmacodynamics

3. Sub divisions of Pharmacology
Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacotherapeutics
Clinical pharmacology
Toxicology
Deals with ADME process i.e. what the body does to
the drug
Deals with the biological effect of the drug ,its
mechanism of action and relation b/w its
plasma concentration ,its response and
duration of action i.e. What the drug does to
the body .
Clinical application of pharmacodynamics and
pharmacokinetics information to cure a disease .
Deals with the comparative clinical evaluations of new
drug for developing its therapeutic efficacy and safety
Deals with the toxicity and poisonous effects of various
chemicals and also with the symptoms and treatment
of poisoning

4. Pharmacology
Chemotherapy
Pharmacogenetics
Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacoepidemeiology
Pharmacovigilance
Deals with the systemic infection or malignancy with drugs
with selective toxicity for infecting organisms.
Deals with the study of inherited (single gene
mediated)differences in the drug metabolism or drug
response in humans.
Deals with the genetic make up (Genome) of
individual to choose drug therapy .
Deals with the study of use and effects of the drug in
large population to establish risk: Benefit ratio
of the drug .
Deals with the continuous monitoring for unwanted effects
and other safety related aspects of marketed drugs .
Science related to DAUP
(Detection, Assessment. Understanding and Prevention)

5. As per WHO Scientific group
“Any Substance or product that is used and intended to be used to
modify or explore the physiological system or pathological state
for the benefit of the recipient “

6. Drug categories
Prescription drugs
Are used under only medical supervision
and dispensed by an order of medical
practitioner only
OTC drugs
Can be sold over the counter without
prescription

7. A drug generally has three categories of names:
(a)Chemical name
 It describes the substance chemically, e.g. 1-
(Isopropylamino )-3-(1-naphthyloxy) propan-2 –ol for
propranolol.
(b) Non-proprietary / official name / Approved name
 Name in the official books accepted all over the world
(c)Proprietary (Brand) name
 Crocin for Paracetamol
DRUG NOMENCLATURE

9. Sources of Information
Official
Non Official
Martindale
Drug Compendia
Pharmacopoeias
Formularies
Pharmacopoeias Formulary
British pharmacopoeias Pharmaceutical codex(by pharmaceutical
Society of Great Britain )
United states Pharmacopoeias National Formulary (by American
Pharmaceutical Association)
Indian Pharmacopoeias National Formulary of India

10.  Serves as Secondary Source of drug Information both by Generic name
and Trade name
 This Information is generalized and is not restricted to only those
drugs which are approved for use by the legally constituted
committee of that country .
For Example :
1. AMA Drug Evaluation : by American Medical Association and
Council on Drugs
2. Modern Drug Encyclopedia: by Yorkee Medical books , New York,
USA
3. Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) : by Medical Economics
Publications ,USA
4. Martindale Extra Pharmacopoeias : by Pharmaceutical Society of
Great Britain .
Non offical Compendia

11.  Essential medicines, as defined by the WHO are
"those drugs that satisfy the health care needs of the
majority of the population; they should therefore be
available at all times in adequate amounts and in
appropriate dosage forms, at a price the community
can afford."
Essential medicines

12.  These are drugs or biological products for diagnosis/treatment/
prevention of a rare disease or condition, or a more common disease
(endemic only in resource poor countries) for which there is no
reasonable expectation that the cost of developing and marketing it
will be recovered from the sales of that drug.
 e.g. sodium nitrite, fomepizole, liposomal amphotericin B,,
rifabutin,, somatropin, digoxin immune Fab (digoxin
antibody), liothyronine (T3) and many more.
 Governments in developed countries offer tax benefits and other
incentives to pharmaceutical companies for developing and marketing
orphan drugs (e.g. Orphan Drug Act in USA).
Orphan Drugs

13.  The rational use of drugs requires that patients
receive medications appropriate to their clinical
needs, in doses that meet their own individual
requirements for an adequate period of time, and at
the lowest cost to them and their community.
Rational use of drugs

14.  correct drug
 appropriate indication
 appropriate drug considering efficacy, safety,
suitability for the patient, and cost
 appropriate dosage, administration, duration
 no contraindications
 correct dispensing, including appropriate
information for patients
 patient adherence to treatment

15. Thank You