General Pharmacology (Theory)

General Pharmacology (BP304T) has been meticulously developed in accordance with the latest Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) syllabus prescribed under the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) curriculum. The book serves as a comprehensive foundation for understanding the principles of pharmacology and bridges the gap between basic biomedical sciences and the clinical application of drugs. It is designed to equip undergraduate pharmacy students with the essential knowledge required for rational drug therapy, safe medication practices, and evidence-based pharmaceutical care.

The book systematically introduces the fundamental concepts of pharmacology, including the historical development, scope, branches, nature and sources of drugs, International Non-proprietary Names (INN), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), generic medicines, essential medicines, rational drug use, and various routes of drug administration with their clinical significance. A detailed and concept-oriented discussion of pharmacokinetics covers drug absorption, membrane transport mechanisms, bioavailability, bioequivalence, drug distribution, plasma protein binding, volume of distribution, drug metabolism, cytochrome P450 enzyme system, phase I and phase II biotransformation, first-pass metabolism, enterohepatic circulation, prodrugs, and drug excretion.

Special emphasis has been placed on pharmacodynamics, where the mechanisms of drug action are explained through receptor theories, receptor regulation, signal transduction pathways, dose-response relationships, and the pharmacological concepts of agonists, antagonists, partial agonists, and inverse agonists. The book further elaborates on factors influencing drug responses, including tolerance, tachyphylaxis, dependence, addiction, idiosyncrasy, synergism, additive effects, adverse drug reactions, and clinically significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug interactions.

Recognizing the rapid advancements in pharmaceutical sciences, dedicated chapters provide an overview of drug discovery and preclinical evaluation, highlighting modern human-relevant screening techniques such as reconstructed human epidermis, organ-on-a-chip technology, reconstructed corneal epithelium models, and Direct Peptide Reactivity Assay (DPRA). The comparative advantages and limitations of in vitro and in silico pharmacological screening methods are also discussed to familiarize students with contemporary approaches in drug development.

The book incorporates emerging areas of pharmacology, including chrono-pharmacology, chrono-therapeutics, chrono-kinetics, biological rhythms, circadian regulation of drug responses, pharmacogenomics, gene therapy, biosimilars, and precision medicine, enabling students to appreciate the evolving role of personalized healthcare and genomic medicine in modern therapeutics.

A comprehensive section on toxicology provides fundamental knowledge of poisons, antidotes, principles of poisoning management, heavy metal toxicity, and preclinical toxicity studies. The text also explains acute, sub-acute, chronic, carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, teratogenicity, and safety pharmacology studies in accordance with internationally accepted OECD and ICH guidelines, thereby strengthening students' understanding of drug safety evaluation and regulatory pharmacology.

Written in a clear, concise, and student-friendly style, the book integrates conceptual explanations with well-designed illustrations, flowcharts, and clinical correlations to facilitate effective learning. Each chapter has been structured to promote conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, and examination preparedness while maintaining scientific accuracy and contemporary relevance. This textbook serves not only as an indispensable resource for B. Pharm students preparing for university examinations but also as a valuable reference for competitive examinations, postgraduate entrance tests, and healthcare professionals seeking a strong foundation in general pharmacology.