Pharmacology and Toxicology, The Science Behind Drugs
 Pharmacology is the science of the effects of drugs and
other chemicals on biological systems, from the molecular
and cellular levels through to patient studies. The science
of pharmacology is at the forefront of modern medicine,
designing, developing and testing drugs that have the potential
to alleviate, and in some cases cure, the diseases that afflict
humans and animals.
“I found pharmacology to be the most dynamic and interesting of all
the sciences – it incorporates just about every area of medicine and
it’s evolving all the time so there is heaps you can do with it career-wise.”
Ginny Priest BSC (Hons) BCom
Why Study Pharmacology and
Toxicology?
Pharmacology is a modern science that
incorporates other biological sciences such
as biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and
genetics. Unlike pharmacy, which is the science
of the preparation and dispensing of drugs,
pharmacology is the science behind how drugs
produce their effects on the body, and what
the body does to the drugs we take.
Most people are interested in pharmacology
simply because drugs occupy such a prominent
place in everyday life: not only does much of
modern medicine consist of drug prescription,
but a number of recreational drugs (e.g. alcohol,
cannabis) are used and abused in modern
society. Additionally, a good knowledge of
pharmacology is an important part of the
training of medical doctors, pharmacists, dentists,
nurses, veterinarians and toxicologists. Aside
from pharmacologists who study drug action
for its own sake, other scientists often find
pharmacology useful in their own area of
specialisation. For example, physiologists,
biochemists, zoologists and psychologists may
use drugs in order to define the function of a
biological system that they are studying.
Toxicology is closely related to pharmacology
but specialises in the analysis of the harmful
effects of drugs and other chemicals on biological
systems. While some toxicologists are
concerned with poisons and overdose, others
study and provide information about the
potentially toxic effects of other chemicals to
which we are exposed either deliberately or
inadvertently. Environmental toxicology is
another important field as it focuses on the
potential harm from chemical exposure in both
the workplace and the environment.
Research in Pharmacology and
Toxicology
Academic and research support staff in the
research laboratory groups of the department
are engaged in high quality, internationally
recognised research focussed on the following
themes: cellular and molecular neuropharmacology
and neurotoxicology; cardiovascular
signalling and cardioprotection; drug resistant
cancer and drug metabolism; inflammation
(dermatology and CNS stroke models) and
wound healing; pharmacovigilance /pharmacogenetics;
toxicology and neuroprotection,
and vestibular pharmacology. State-of-the-art
technologies are used to undertake integrative,
cellular and molecular investigations aimed at
understanding animal and human pathophysiology,
and to isolate targets for novel drugs.
Background required
There are no subject requirements for entry
to the Health Sciences First Year, except that
you must not have previously undertaken
university level study. We do recommend
that you take Chemistry and Biology to Year
13 level. Pharmacology papers begin in the
second year of study.
Pharmacology and Toxicology at Otago
Pharmacology is a major of the Bachelor of Science,
a three-year degree programme. Pharmacology
and Toxicology are also responsible for the Drugs
and Human Health major of the Bachelor of
Biomedical Science degree, also a three-year
programme.
In the first year of study, most students follow the
Health Sciences First Year programme.
Pharmacology and Toxicology papers begin in the
second year of study, where you will learn the
basic principles of pharmacology, as well as
important concepts in the use of drugs to treat
cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological diseases.
The field of toxicology is also introduced at second
year level. Practical classes will introduce you to
traditional pharmacological methods, as well as
giving you the opportunity to measure the effects
of drugs on whole animals, namely yourself and
others.
In the third year of study, papers focus on specialist
areas of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Topics
include neuropharmacology, clinical pharmacology,
molecular and immunopharmacology and
mechanisms of toxicology.
Teaching style
All Pharmacology and Toxicology papers are taught
through a combination of lectures and practicals.
Practical classes are varied and aim to instill
important pharmacological laboratory skills in all
students. As a small department, we have a friendly
and helpful relationship with all our students.
Postgraduate Opportunities
There is a wide range of postgraduate
opportunities in Pharmacology and Toxicology,
including an Honours degree, a Master’s degree
(in either Pharmacology or Toxicology) and a PhD
programme. Postgraduate papers concentrate
on modern research in Pharmacology and
Toxicology, focusing on the various areas within
neuropharmacology, mechanistic toxicology and
clinical pharmacology.
Careers in Pharmacology and Toxicology
Opportunities for Pharmacology and Toxicology
graduates are wide ranging and include biomedical
research in university and private laboratories,
administration and drug regulation for government
departments and other medical service professions.
There are also multiple teaching opportunities in
university, polytechnic and hospital settings. A
good knowledge of Pharmacology and Toxicology
is of great value for both sales and management
staff in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacologists
in the pharmaceutical industry have access to the
best scientific resources, lead multi-disciplinary
teams and are well paid to take on the huge
challenge of seeking new drugs for emerging,
untreatable diseases. Additionally, there are also
career opportunities in drug information, publishing
and drug law.
VIRGINIA (GINNY) PRIEST
At university, Ginny quickly realised the value of
applying cutting edge research to commercial
applications. Anticipating huge potential for
graduates with commercial and scientific skills,
Ginny changed her degree from a straight BSc to
a BSc(Hons) BCom, majoring in Pharmacology
and Economics respectively.
 She graduated with First Class Honours on the
back of a pharmacoeconomic research dissertation
that has resulted in international publication.
”As a student I worked as a research assistant in
hospitals and at the University, where I also really
enjoyed a teaching role. I’ll always have the option
of going back to academia, but I quite like the
being at the interface at the moment – helping
New Zealanders get the ‘most bang for their
buck’.“
Ginny currently works as a Health Economist at
PHARMAC, where a major part of her work is
conducting pharmacoeconomic analyses (costutility
analysis) on new medicine funding
opportunities. She finds her job challenging and
very rewarding.
“PHARMAC is a great place to work: a great
bunch of people (albeit a pretty small total number)
wanting to make a difference for New Zealand
through leading edge medicines management.
PHARMAC have also been very supportive of my
ongoing learning and career-development.”
Ginny has been astounded by the career
opportunities that have become available to her
as a result of her unique combination. Her secret?
”Doing what you enjoy is a key pillar of success.
Combining courses gives you more breadth, keeps
options open, expands your outlook on the world
and, with the right choices, makes you stand out
from the crowd. If you follow your intuition and
work hard and efficiently, the rest will follow.”
Further information
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University
of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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