Discover the ways in which this line of work is distinct from that of a pharmacist.
You may be interested in medication, drug therapies, and other aspects of pharmaceuticals; however, if the idea of working behind the counter at a hospital or drugstore as a pharmacist, filling prescriptions and interacting with patients and customers doesn't appeal to you, there is an alternative career path available to you: pharmacology.
Description of the Role of a Pharmacist
Research is conducted and tests are conducted by pharmacologists on pharmaceuticals and chemical compounds with the purpose of developing new pharmacological treatments, avoiding adverse drug interactions, and other related goals. In particular, these professionals investigate the processes of drug breakdown, absorption, and distribution throughout the body. In addition to this, they investigate the possible adverse effects that particular medications may have.
"The study of how medicines affect biological processes and how the human body reacts to the presence of medications is referred to as pharmacology. The field of research known as pharmacology examines all aspects of medicines, including their origins, chemical make-up, biological effects, and therapeutic applications "if one is to believe what the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics has to say on the matter (ASPET). 1
Career Opportunities in Pharmacology
There are many different ways to go about making a living in the field of pharmacology. Clinical pharmacologists, for instance, are concerned with the impact that drugs have when used to the treatment of illness. These individuals, according to the definition provided by the American College of Clinical Pharmacology (ACCP), "bridge the gap between science and the practice of medicine via creative research, development, and regulation of drugs." [Citation needed]
Toxicologists, on the other hand, are concerned with the impact that medications, drug combinations, and other types of chemicals have on the human body.
Where Pharmacists Can Be Found Working
On the industrial or commercial side of the pharmaceutical profession, pharmacologists have the option of working with pharmaceutical manufacturers. They also have the option of working for a university, either in a teaching or research capacity. In addition, pharmacologists may find employment in laboratories, such as research laboratories or forensic laboratories.
Instructional Prerequisites for a Career as a Pharmacologist
The majority of pharmacologists receive their education at a pharmacy school, where they earn a degree known as a Pharm.D., which stands for Doctor of Pharmacy and stands for a degree that requires four years of undergraduate, pre-professional college coursework in addition to four years of professional study. It is the same education that is required by conventional pharmacists.) A doctorate in pharmacology is another option for those who want to pursue a career as pharmacologists. There are a lot of people working in this industry who have both a doctorate and a pharmacy degree.
Employed in the Profession of Pharmacologist
If you are interested in a career in pharmacology, you should know that there are likely to be several opportunities for promotion: The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a healthy job market for medical scientists, a field that encompasses pharmacology, with an eight percent increase in employment opportunities between the years 2018 and 2028.
Your career path will, of course, be heavily influenced by the organization for which you work. This might be anything from a giant pharmaceutical business to a little private research laboratory or even a university classroom in which you lecture rather than do clinical practice.
Compensation
Obviously, the amount of money you earn will also be affected by the aforementioned elements to some degree. According to the website Indeed.com, the annual pay for a Pharmacologist in the United States averages out to be $135,249 dollars. According to data compiled by Glassdoor, the typical starting salary comes in at $111,403.
You will most likely be able to earn a very decent livelihood doing something that you actually like if you get into the pharmacology field and work wherever you end up working.