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Principles of Pharmacology by H. L. Sharma and K. K.

Sharma.
Author: Chetna Desai
Date: March-April 2009
From: Indian Journal of Pharmacology(Vol. 41, Issue 2)
Publisher: Indian Pharmacological Society
Document Type: Book review
Length: 751 words

Full Text:
Byline: Chetna. Desai

First Edition, 2007, pp: 977 Rs. 795.00

Publishers: Paras Medical Publishers, New Delhi

A good book is one which interests and guides a student even in the absence of a teacher. What does a student look for in a text
book of pharmacology? Well, many things, but essentially the following:

The relevance of the topics and content in terms of the "recommended syllabus" with a few "bonus" topics and "extra information."

A lucid, well-organized presentation that is easy to understand and remember, with emphasis on the understanding of concepts
rather than a statement of facts.

Clear and apt illustrations that make complex topics easy to understand.

Exclusion of complex classifications and terminologies that are not of practical value and also "vaporize" rapidly from memory.

Up-to-date with respect to the current trends in pharmacotherapeutics.

On the other hand, teachers judge a book from its content, whether it emphasizes the learning objectives as laid down in the
curriculum, its "originality" in terms of approach to the subject, its presentation, and the correctness of the information provided. Both
groups of readers also look for "novelty" and "innovativeness."

The textbook "Principles of Pharmacology" by H. L. Sharma and K. K. Sharma fulfills these and more. This text book on
pharmacology is primarily targeted toward undergraduate medical students. To begin with, the topics included are contemporary and
well classified. Special topics such as pediatrics and geriatric pharmacology and pharmacology of radiocontrast media and drug
schedules have been included. The strength of this book lies in the detailed yet simple manner in which the topics in General
Pharmacology have been dealt with. This will help the students understand the basic principles very well.

The chapters begin with a brief discussion of the relevant anatomy, biochemistry, and pathophysiology, followed by a detailed
pharmacological discussion on the topic. Due care has also been taken to simplify the modes of action, applied pharmacokinetics,
and pharmacodynamic properties, through lucid explanation and a liberal use of illustrations and tables. Each chapter closes with a
brief note on the recent advances and ongoing research on the subject under discussion, which would aid an inquisitive student to
read further.

There is scope for modification in future editions. For example, the mathematical derivations and detailing of certain pharmacokinetic
parameters could have been avoided. Also topics such as pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction monitoring,
phramcoeconomics, prescription writing, drug compliance, drug discovery, and development and applied aspects of pharmacology
could well be added or elaborated in future editions. The formulations, dose, and commonly available preparations could also be
mentioned separately after each drug / drug group. Students usually find it difficult to remember these and need it as a handy
reference for quick reading. Modern books in pharmacology demand a fine balance between the elucidation of basic concepts and
applied clinical aspects. The latter needs more attention. A short bibliography at the end of each chapter could provide additional
reading resources for the students who wish to study the topic in detail, for example, postgraduates or those who wish to prepare for
the pre-PG entrance exams. However, a well written book, that will serve as a useful learning resource, not only to the teachers in
pharmacology and undergraduate medical students, but also to paramedical students. The authors mention in the preface, "We
ourselves carry a heart of a dissatisfied student which we kept on our desk while writing the chapters. If our hearts beat normally after
the end of the chapter, we considered our job done successfully. It there were arrhythmias, we explored the reasons, rewrote the
whole chapter". The authors have been successful in their endeavor and the book does preserve the sinus rhythm of the reader!

References

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pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 11[sup] th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2006. p. 1541-71.

2. Tham DM, Gardener CD, Haskell WL. Potential health benefits of dietary phytoestrogens: A review of the clinical, epidemiological
and mechanistic evidence. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998;83:2223-35.

3. Cos P, Bruyne TD, Apers S, Berghe DV, Pieters L, Vlietinck AJ. Phytoestrogens: Recent developments. Planta Medica 2003;
69:589-99.

4. Dr. Dukes Phytochemical and ethnobotanical databases. Available from: http://www.drdukes.com. [last accessed on 2005 Jan 24].

5. Malini T, Vanithakumari G. Estrogenic activity of Cuminum cyminum in rats. Indian J Exp Biol 1987;25:442-4.

6. Dhandapani S, Subramanian VR, Rajgopal S, Namasivayam N. Hipolipedemic effect of Cuminum cyminum L. on alloxan induced
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Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Indian Pharmacological Society

http://www.ijp-online.com/
Source Citation (MLA 9th Edition)
Desai, Chetna. "Principles of Pharmacology by H. L. Sharma and K. K. Sharma." Indian Journal of Pharmacology, vol. 41, no. 2,
Mar.-Apr. 2009, p. 94. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A200155079/AONE?u=googlescholar&sid=bookmark-
AONE&xid=158bd569. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A200155079