The study of the way in which drugs work is the basis for a number of career possibilities.
Some of these are briefly listed below and give examples of the opportunities available.
Teaching and Research in Higher Educational Institutions
In New Zealand most teachers of pharmacology are concerned with training students
for the medical, veterinary and pharmaceutical professions. Pharmacology is also
taught to science students at The University of Auckland and University of Otago.
It should be noted that appointment to a university teaching post usually requires
the possession of a research degree or equivalent experience.
Industrial Research and Development (R and D)
The discovery and development of new and better medicines for the treatment of diseases
in man and animals, as well as chemicals for food processing and agricultural application
requires pharmacologists as part of the multi-disciplinary research and development
teams. The pharmaceutical industry is a major source of employment opportunities
but this mostly occurs overseas in Europe, the US and also Japan. In New Zealand
pharmaceutical research is mainly confined to clinical trials with little basic
pharmacological research being undertaken. However pharmacologists can find key
roles in the medical, regulatory and marketing divisions of the pharmaceutical industry
in New Zealand.
Clinical Teaching and Research
Medically qualified clinical pharmacologists are employed in hospitals for evaluating
drug activity in patients. In these studies, their work is supported by non-clinically
qualified graduates and non-graduate technicians who contribute to the laboratory
aspects of the clinical studies. Increasingly, more offices of multinational pharmaceutical
companies and clinical research organisations are offering posts for clinical research
assistants.
Government Department and Research Institutions
A number of opportunities are available for work in government or government-sponsored
research institutions. Examples of the type of work available are: research and
development studies, assessment of the safety of medicines and advisory and safety
aspects of chemicals used in the food processing and agricultural industries. In
addition there are a number of private research institutions and companies, such
as Genesis Research and Development Corporation, The Cancer Research Laboratory
(sponsored by the New Zealand Cancer Society) in Auckland, or the Mallagan Research
Institution in Wellington which can provide research opportunities for pharmacologists.
Medical Publishing and Drug Information
A background in pharmacology and toxicology is ideal for entry into medical publishing
and drug information dissemination. There are many opportunities in this expanding
field. For example, Adis International is an international publishing and drug information
company which has its headquarters at Mairangi Bay in Auckland.
Toxicology
A pharmacology/toxicology qualification is one of the principal entry routes into
employment as a toxicologist. The training and ability to appreciate and measure
the many aspects involved in the assessment of drug action and the adverse effects
of chemicals forms an ideal basis for a career in toxicology. Toxicologists are
employed in all the career categories mentioned above. The increasing use of food
additives and agricultural chemical products, and increasing environmental hazards
arising from pollution provide additional areas of career employment.
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