What is the definition of Pharmacology?

The definition of pharmacology is the study of medication and their actions on the body. This field encompasses the understanding of how drugs interact with biological systems, including their therapeutic effects, mechanisms of action, side effects, and metabolic processes. Pharmacology is essential for healthcare professionals as it helps them comprehend how various medications can affect physiological and biochemical processes, thereby enabling them to prescribe treatments safely and effectively.

The other options, while related to pharmaceuticals and medication, do not capture the broader scope of pharmacology. The process of prescribing medication to patients pertains more specifically to clinical practice rather than the comprehensive study of drugs and their effects. A branch of medical science dealing specifically with allergies refers to immunology or allergy and immunology, which is different from pharmacology. Lastly, the study of drug abuse and addiction falls under toxicology and substance abuse studies, which focus on the misuse of substances rather than the general principles of drug action and therapeutics that pharmacology covers.