The role of the paediatric clinical pharmacologist in paediatric research

Abstract

In 1970 the World Health Organization stated that the function of the clinical pharmacologist was: 1) to improve patient care by promoting safer and more effective use of drugs, 2) to increase knowledge through research, 3) to pass on knowledge through teaching and 4) to provide services (e.g., analyses, drug information, and advice in the design of experiments). The role of the clinical pharmacologist in the fields of drug discovery, drug development, and regulatory sciences has significantly changed over the last decades. There is no discussion about the pivotal role of clinical pharmacologists in ensuring rational use of drugs, in translating pharmacological concepts from the bench to the clinic, in clinical drug development, or in teaching the discipline to medical and pharmacy students. Specifically, the role of paediatric clinical pharmacology is evolving and changing dramatically. This paper will summarize the current role of the (paediatric) clinical pharmacologist.