Wither, whether and whither pharmacology

There has been considerable discussion over the last couple of years about the nature of pharmacology as a discipline and the training programmes for pharmacologists. Recently the British Pharmacological Society devoted a whole symposium to this important issue. In the UK in particular, pressure from government has nearly doubled the number of undergraduate students entering the university sector over the last five years, which has put considerable pressure on the teaching of essential practical courses for this experimental discipline. Similar pressures face the teaching of pharmacology in other countries and the situation, discussed here by Clive Page, Morley Sutler and Michael Walker, clearly has implications for academic pharmacology and the pharmaceutical industry. It is intended that the following article will stimulate both dialogue and positive action towards redressing this important problem.