Research: A work directed towards the innovation and improvement of products and processes. Drug Development: A process of bringing a new pharmaceutical drug to the market once a lead (active) compound has been identified.
Pharmacist can work as effective member of a research team during the discovery and development phase of a medicine. Research pharmacist can help the investigators in basic, clinical and translational research. Pharmacists also help the project team to understand the bio pharmaceutical properties of the compound, the dosage form and how the route of administration might affect the rate and extent of absorption.
Research Pharmacist plays a backbone in research and development by involving in pretrial, during trial and post trial services.
Pretrial services
Before starting the clinical trial a research pharmacist can perform lots of activities like:-
• Planning to check the feasibility of the trial
• Availability of the study drugs and supplies, budget for study
• Literature survey regarding the study drug
• Operational challenges
• Writing and reviewing the research protocol involving procurement, receipt, storage, labeling, dispensing, sterile and non sterile compounding, pharmacology i.e.dosage form, dose, route, frequency, adverse effects etc.
During trial services
After the receipt of the study drug order from the investigator, pharmacist performs the following tasks:-
• Randomized the research participant
• Reviewing the drug order for any correction
• Prepare or compound study drug and placebo as per protocol
• Specialized packaging as per study design and labeling as per requirement
• Drug interaction analysis
• Adverse reaction monitoring
Post trial services
Pharmacist part in post trial services include:-
• Whether to destroy unused drug or send back to sponsor as per mutual agreement
• Unblind the code in case of blinded study and record keeping
To sum up, pharmaceutical research scientists are typically involved in the development of new drugs. To become a pharmaceutical scientist, an undergraduate degree i.e B. Pharmacy is sufficient for entry level positions where as for research; a post graduation is a particular asset.
Complied by: –
Dr Arpana Rana
Professor, AIP
