1974-2014: Reflections on the evolution of clinical pharmacology in the past 40 years and a message to our readers (original) (raw)

In youth, each birthday is eagerly anticipated. By 30 some of the enthusiasm at another milestone may have worn a bit thin-though the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (BJCP) was in buoyant spirits [1]. Staid 40-year-olds are still less likely to be dropping not-so-subtle hints to their loved ones of the impending anniversary. However, BJCP eschews all such modesty and takes this opportunity to reflect briefly on our subject while glancing into the mirror. The first number of the Journal back in 1974 contained (among others) research articles on pharmacodynamics (PD), pharmacokinetics (PK), drug metabolism, therapeutics and analytical methodology. Now, as then, we consider papers on all aspects of drug action in man. How has this approach stood up to the challenges posed by the profound changes in biomedicine that have ensued over the intervening 40 years? These changes include revolutions in intellectual approach and theory as much as dizzying practical advances that have occurred in some areas of therapeutics.