What is pharmacology?

Pharmacology is a branch of medicine and pharmaceutical sciences that deals with the study of drugs (any natural, artificial, or endogenous molecule that has a biochemical or physiological effect), their impact on the body, and their properties. More specifically it is the study of how chemicals interact with living organisms and what influence they have on normal and abnormal biochemical functions.

What is toxicology?

Toxicology also called the science of poisons, is a branch of science, medicine, and biology that studies adverse effects that occur in living organisms and the environment due to chemicals, substances (including environmental agents and chemical compounds found in nature, as well as pharmaceutical compounds that are synthesized for medical use by humans. These substances may produce toxic effects in living organisms, which can include, but are not limited to, disturbances in growth patterns, discomfort, disease, and even death), and situations. The job of scientists and researchers working in this sphere is to find patterns by which substances exert toxicity, detect the presence of these substances in various sample types, and treat biological organisms that have been exposed to certain toxicants. 

What is GLP?

The good laboratory practice system (GLP) is a system of management controls for non-clinical (the term “non-clinical” means not relating to, involving, or concerned with the direct observation and treatment of living patients) research studies using animals (usually rats, mice, sheep, and pigs) as test subjects to ensure the quality, integrity, reliability,  uniformity, consistency, and reproducibility of test related to non-clinical safety studies. GLP contains a set of principles that provide a structure within which laboratory activities are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, and archived. GLP is not only limited to chemicals but also applies to medical devices, food additives, food packaging, color additives, and other non-pharmaceutical products or ingredients as well. 

The difference between pharmacology and pharmacy.

The biggest misconception is that people think that pharmacologists and pharmacists are the same jobs, but there is a pretty big difference between these two. 

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialize in medication, their job is to advise other healthcare professionals and patients on how to use and take medications, follow the effectiveness of medications, manage possible side effects, and watch if patients take medications that were prescribed to them. Pharmacists can usually be found in hospitals, community pharmacies, and medical clinics, while pharmacologists usually work in research centers, laboratories, government organizations, foundations, the drug manufacturing industry, and academic institutions.