Pharmacologist (Farmacoloog)

Information on this skill...

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A pharmacologist is a scientist who specializes in pharmacology. Pharmacology refers to the action and processing of pharmacological substances on humans and animals. Pharmacology is a subscience of pharmacy, which consists of several components, such as pharmacotherapy, pharmacognosy and pharmacochemistry. It is the pharmacologist who conducts research into the effect of drugs on the human body. Think of researching and analyzing different substances in a medicine for their effect, and the influences of this substance on humans or animals. This research can be carried out to develop new medicines or to improve existing medicines. A pharmacologist is therefore responsible for investigating the influences of substances on humans and animals. As a pharmacologist, it is important to know exactly what substances do in the body, and what the possible side effects of substances are. Pharmacology consists of two subfields, namely pharmacokinetics (the way in which the drugs are processed by the body) and pharmacodynamics (the way in which the drugs act on the body). The work of a pharmacologist can be regarded as important work, because medicines are important for everyone. In short, we can best describe a pharmacologist as a specialist in drug theory. As a pharmacologist you are therefore a chemist and you work in specialized laboratories. Developing new drugs is not easy, because pharmacologists spend a lot of time researching new drugs. In addition, pharmacologists have to deal with lengthy research phases before a drug can possibly be placed on the market. During the research phase, for example, it will be investigated whether new medicines are safe and whether they really work.

A pharmacologist is therefore a chemist, who specializes in the development of new drugs by assembling chemicals. Developing new drugs and improving existing ones is a process that involves many specialists. Drug research is in most cases a lengthy process, because medications must be safe to use. The pharmaceutical industry therefore has to deal with strict regulations and various regulators, which only allow medicines that are safe to use. The drugs that a pharmacologist makes are eventually sold to hospitals, pharmacists and to drugstores. It goes without saying that many medical specialists use medicines to treat patients. Think, for example, of oncologists, internists, anesthesiologists and clinical chemists. Despite the fact that innovation plays an important role in the pharmaceutical industry, the pharmaceutical industry still uses animal testing to develop new medicines. This in most cases relates to mice, combs and rabbits and not to other animals.

PLANT RESEARCH MEDICINE

A pharmacologist can also use plants for research, because plants can possess substances that can be used in medicines. It is therefore possible that a pharmacologist uses a botanist's garden. A botanist's garden is a scientifically decorated garden with various plants, which are used for pharmaceutical research. Developing new drugs is usually a lengthy process, which can only be achieved by conducting a lot of research. After the studies, there is usually also a certain period of time, within which the drugs must be tested before they can finally be placed on the market. Developing new medicines is therefore very expensive. In addition, not all new drugs pass the test phase. A scientist who works within a botanist's garden can be classified as a botanist. A practitioner of botany must be regarded as a biologist and not as a chemist.

WHAT DOES A PHARMACOLOGIST DO:

TRAINING TO BECOME A PHARMACOLOGIST

If you are looking for training as a pharmacologist, it is best to choose the university study medical biology or the study pharmaceutical sciences. Both programmes are a combination of chemistry, physics, biology and medical sciences. Another profession that has common ground with the profession of pharmacologist is the profession of biotechnologist. These professions are not just comparable to each other, but do have common ground with each other. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.

COMPANIES WHERE A PHARMACOLOGIST CAN WORK

In general, a pharmacologist works within the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, a pharmacologist can work for a hospital, health insurer or a university. Where exactly a pharmacologist works also depends on the chosen specialization. Someone who sells medicines on behalf of a pharmaceutical company is called a doctor's sales representative.

COMPETENCES PHARMACOLOGIST

The most important competence of a pharmacologist is the all-round knowledge of chemistry and biology. Because a pharmacologist is a scientist, you will need to have research skills. In addition, communication must be regarded as an important competence, because in most cases you will work together with various colleagues and other parties involved, such as investors. Generally important words are perseverance, integrity, discipline, result orientation, presenting, planning, organizing, controlling, precise, consulting and working together.

LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A PHARMACOLOGIST

The labour market perspective of a pharmacologist within the Netherlands is generally moderate, because the Netherlands does not play a major role within the pharmaceutical industry. Most companies are therefore located abroad and not in the Netherlands. Within Europe, Germany, Ireland and France are major players where it arrives at the pharmaceutical industry. However, there are plenty of jobs within the Netherlands as pharmacologists, which are focused on research and information. The career opportunities as a pharmacologist must be seen in being able to manage a research team or obtaining a PhD as a scientist. In addition, it is possible to continue learning for the position of clinical pharmacologist. The position of regulatory affairs officer may also be one of the possibilities.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY PHARMACOLOGIST

There are no examples of the employment conditions, because you can work for different types of employers with different collective agreements. The salary as a pharmacologist is very dependent on the number of years of service, but will be between 4000 and 10000 gross per month depending on age, education and further responsibilities. In general, the pharmaceutical industry will pay better than a hospital. A higher salary is conceivable within this profession, if you have a lot of experience and great responsibilities.

The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.

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