Health Career: Pharmacologist
Who are pharmacologists and what do they do?
Pharmacologists perform research experiments to examine the effects of drugs, gases, powders and other materials on peoples' and animals' health. They also study and develop drugs to treat and prevent human diseases and illnesses.
How do pharmacologists typically spend their workday?
As a pharmacologist, you will most likely work in a research laboratory of a hospital, business, university, pharmaceutical company or other health-related organization. On a typical day, you may give certain drugs to laboratory animals to study the animals' responses to the drugs and try to determine whether the drugs may help to prevent or remedy certain health conditions. You will revise the drug by adding or subtracting ingredients, and then you will perform more tests until you are satisfied with the results. Once you are happy with the formula of a new drug, you will submit it along with the results of your tests to gain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
What does it take to be a good pharmacologist?
If you are interested in research and would like to help people treat their illnesses, you should consider becoming a pharmacologist. These medical professionals are interested in science and chemistry and like doing research, and enjoy working with computers and technical equipment.
What are some health-related jobs that are similar to that of a pharmacologist?
Biomedical engineer, health educator, medical laboratory technician or technologist, biological scientist.
Related links and helpful information:
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
- American Pharmacists Association
- The American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
