What Is Pharmacology?

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on human health. Learn how pharmacologists research and develop new treatments while also conducting clinical trials to test for safety and effectiveness.

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Read time 5 minutes

GCE Editorial Team

Published on Sep 29, 2025

Pharmacology is the science of medications and how they work in the body — from antibiotics to painkillers and beyond. Pharmacologists might study the effects of drugs on human health, develop new medications to treat diseases and look for ways of reducing side effects while maintaining or improving effectiveness.¹

Are you thinking about a career in medicine, yet unsure that you want to provide direct patient care? You might consider becoming a pharmacologist. Pharmacologists play an integral role in the medical field, although many of them do not work directly with patients.

Types of Pharmacology

There are different kinds of pharmacology. The two principal specialties are clinical and experimental pharmacology. Experimental pharmacologists are purely research scientists. They work on developing new drugs and studying the effects of chemical compounds on the human body.

Clinical pharmacology is the bridge between pharmaceutical research and applied pharmaceutical science. This field also involves researching and developing new drugs, but typically through clinical trials involving patients. Some professionals may work directly with patients enrolled in clinical trials.

Within these two subfields, there are opportunities to specialize further. For example, you might consider becoming any of the following:

Toxicologist: This position focuses on the effects of drugs and drug combinations.
Veterinary pharmacologist: A veterinary pharmacologist specializes in the development of drugs for the field of animal medical science.
Psychopharmacology: Individuals in this field work with drug development for psychiatric disorders.
Cardiovascular pharmacologist: This position focuses on medications for the cardiovascular system.
Neuropharmacology: This specialization explores the effects of chemical compounds on the nervous system, including the brain.

Pharmacology vs. Pharmacy: What’s the Difference?

Pharmacology and pharmacy are similar in that both fields involve medications, but the similarities stop there. Whereas pharmacologists study drugs, often for the purpose of developing new treatments, pharmacists dispense medications, administer vaccinations and provide patient education on proper medication management.

From medications to treat insomnia and sickle cell disease to medical-grade dye used during ophthalmic surgeries, innovative substances used in medicine have a team of pharmacologists behind them. Pharmacologists are responsible for researching and studying the chemical compounds that comprise medications and other medical products. They evaluate their effectiveness and ensure that drugs are reasonably safe for patients.

A pharmacologist’s subfield can significantly influence what a normal day looks like. In general, however, a pharmacologist may expect to perform some of the following tasks:

Researching chemical compounds and other substances to evaluate them for potential use in new drug therapies
Developing new drug therapies and studying how the body’s systems first break down and absorb the chemical compounds, then transfer them throughout the body
Studying the potential for side effects and complications, including interactions between drugs
Developing treatment plans, including standardized drug doses
Writing proposals for new developmental tests and clinical trials

Pharmacologists also write scientific papers describing their research and findings. To maintain and share their expertise, they may attend scientific conferences, sometimes presenting their own original research. In this career field, it is particularly important to stay on top of the latest developments and research.

These professionals may work both individually and collaboratively. Pharmacologists can work in a variety of environments, such as hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical corporations and government agencies.²

Pharmacists are responsible for reviewing physician-provided prescriptions and dispensing medications in the correct amount and dosages. They may also check patients’ health records, including allergy information, to check for possible interactions with the prescribed medication. Pharmacists can administer vaccinations, such as flu shots and COVID shots, provide patient education and handle insurance billing issues.

Pharmacists can also work across a variety of settings. Some of them work in hospital-based pharmacies, where they dispense medications to healthcare providers who are treating patients. Others work in standalone pharmacies, as well as pharmacies located in retail stores such as supermarkets. Some pharmacists work for ambulatory healthcare service providers.³

Career Paths: Pharmacologist vs. Pharmacist

Despite the differences in roles, these professionals have a similar career pathway, as both require advanced education.

Pharmacists typically need a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited pharmacy program. It is customary for PharmD programs to require applicants to have completed undergraduate coursework in anatomy, physiology, biology and similar subjects. Pharmacists must also obtain a state license to practice, which typically requires passing two exams, as well as completing an internship.⁴

Similarly, an aspiring pharmacologist needs an advanced degree, like other types of medical scientists. Unlike pharmacists, however, pharmacologists have a greater variety of degree options. To become a pharmacologist, you could earn a:⁵
•    PhD in biology or a similar life science
•    Medical degree, either alone or in addition to a PhD
•    PharmD
•    Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
•    Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)

Of course, the journey to one of these advanced degrees first requires the completion of a bachelor’s degree, such as a biology degree with a pre-pharmacy emphasis. Some pharmacologists, such as those who plan to work with patients in clinical trials, also need to obtain a medical license.⁵

Is There a Need for Pharmacologists?

Pharmacologists are highly qualified professionals who fill an essential role in healthcare. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t track employment data specifically for pharmacologists. However, the job growth rate for all types of medical scientists is expected to be 11% from 2023 through 2033, much faster than average, indicating a need for about 16,800 new scientists during this time period.⁶

A pharmacologist is a highly educated professional. If you are thinking about joining this specialized field, you will first need to earn a relevant undergraduate degree.⁵

There are a few options to choose from. You might choose to major in biology with an emphasis in pre-pharmacy, for example. Cellular and molecular biology are other degree possibilities. In short, any degree that combines biology with chemistry, or that focuses on pharmaceuticals, is a smart choice for aspiring pharmacologists.

As a bachelor’s degree student who is focusing on the life sciences and pre-pharmacy, you can expect to examine topics such as:

Human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
Biochemistry, general and organic chemistry
Cellular and molecular biology
Pharmacology

Earning a bachelor’s degree is an essential first step toward pursuing the graduate-level education you’ll need to become a pharmacologist.⁵

You can begin pursuing your career by earning an undergraduate degree at Grand Canyon University. Combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience when you enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Biology with an Emphasis in Pre-Pharmacy program or work toward a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Improve Human Health With Pharmacology

Pursue a pharmacology career and make an impact on healthcare. Earn a pre-pharmacy degree at GCU!

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British Pharmacological Society. (n.d.). What Is Pharmacology? Retrieved July 22, 2025.
Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, June 6). Learn About Being a Pharmacologist (With Salary Info). Indeed. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April 18). Pharmacists: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April 18). How to Become a Pharmacist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, April 18). How to Become a Medical Scientist. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Scientists, retrieved on July 22, 2025.

Approved and verified accurate by the Associate Dean of the College of Natural Science on Aug. 18, 2025.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.