What's the Field?
What is pharmacy the study and practice of?
Preparing and dispensing medications to help patients safely use drugs.
Who works in a community setting filling prescriptions?
Pharmacist
What degree do you need to become a licensed pharmacist?
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
What’s one skill chem students use that’s also important in pharmacology research?
Measuring accurately / lab safety / understanding reactions
What’s the symbol on most prescriptions?
℞
What is pharmacology?
The scientific study of how drugs interact with the body.
What type of pharmacist works in a hospital and helps doctors pick the right medications?
Clinical pharmacist
About how long does pharmacy school usually take after undergrad?
Around 4 years
What does it mean to “run a trial”?
Testing a new drug to see if it’s safe and effective.
Who’s considered the “father of modern pharmacology”?
Oswald Schmiedeberg
What’s one main difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacologist?
Pharmacists work with patients and prescriptions; pharmacologists focus on research and drug development.
What’s one career option for someone with a pharmacology background (not pharmacy school)?
Drug researcher, toxicologist, or lab scientist
What’s one common major for students preparing for pharmacy school?
Chemistry, biology, or biochemistry
What’s a “controlled substance”?
A drug regulated by law due to risk of misuse or addiction.
What’s the most common over-the-counter pain reliever?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
What’s a drug in pharmacology terms?
Any chemical substance that affects how the body works.
Who studies the safety of chemicals and how they affect living things?
Toxicologist
Do Pharmacy schools still require the PCAT?
The PCAT is no longer required because the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) retired the exam in 2024.
Why is ethical testing important in pharmacology?
To protect people and ensure honest, safe results.
True or False: Pharmacology is all about memorizing drugs.
False! It’s about understanding how they work and interact with the body.
Which field studies how drugs are made, absorbed, and broken down in the body?
Pharmacokinetics (a branch of pharmacology).
What’s one non-lab career in the pharmaceutical industry?
Medical sales rep, regulatory affairs specialist, or science writer
True or False: You can work in pharmacology research with just a bachelor’s degree.
True, but most advanced research roles require a master’s or Ph.D.
What does the FDA do in drug development?
Approves drugs for use and monitors their safety.
What’s one reason people choose careers in pharmacy or pharmacology?
To help people, research new treatments, or combine science with patient care.