PHARMACOLOGY

It is the science of drugs derived from two Greek words: Pharmakon (the Greek word for drugs) and logos (the Greek word for science). It is the study of the effects of chemicals on living tissues. The word drug refers to a dry substance and probably reflects the use of herbs in early therapy.

Broadly defined, a drug is a chemical substance that can alter or influence the responsiveness of a biological system.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all drugs are chemicals, BUT, all chemicals are not drugs.  All drugs are poisons, BUT, all poisons are not drugs.

 FDA defines the chemical “a substance composed of a combination of elements (electrons, protons, and neutrons)” and drug “a chemical which is utilized for the diagnosis, prevention, cure or amelioration of an unwanted health condition”

According to Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FDC) Act, the term “drug” means (A) articles recognized in the official United States Pharmacopeia, official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or official National Formulary, or any supplement to any of them; and (B) articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease in man or other animals; and (C) articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals; and (D) articles intended for use as a component of any articles specified in clause (A), (B), and (C), and “Food” means (1) articles used for food or drink for man or other animals, (2) chewing gum, and (3) articles used for components of any other such article.