The need for comparative pharmacologists in industrial and academic research

Comparative pharmacologists solidly trained in the principles of modern pharmacology, comparative biology, and comparative medicine are needed in various facets of drug research. Although this type of training would ideally be obtained in the professional medical environment of a veterinary college, the discipline of pharmacology has been neglected in these schools and must be upgraded by staffing and funding before quality training programs can be established. An interim solution would be to offer postgraduate training in comparative pharmacology and medicine at selected veterinary schools. Trainees would be recruited from pharmacology centers of excellence in medical or pharmacy schools. We assume that some of these trainees wound join veterinary school faculties and eventually establish quality Ph.DTRAINING PROGRAMS IN COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY AT THEIR INSTITUTIONS. Comparative pharmacologists trained in these pre- or postdoctoral programs would be valuable additions to any team responsible for evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs or chemicals in man or animals.