Institute of Clinical Pharmacology

Clinical pharmacology is a specialist discipline which combines pharmacology with clinical subjects where medicinal products are used. The key functions of clinical pharmacology are to improve the safety and efficiency of medication therapy for patients and assist medical expert personnel in the implementation of individualized drug therapy.

In pursuit of these aims, clinical pharmacology provides a number of services to clinicians and their patients. These include comprehensive assistance in devising individualized, effective and safe medication therapy for in-patients and out-patients, in dose-optimization and the clarification of unfavorable results.

Despite proper use of medication, some patients may not experience the intended therapy effect whereas others may show adverse drug reactions. Such variability in the effect of medication may be genetically determined or have other reasons like pre-existing conditions, diet or concomitant medication. The team at the Immanuel Institute of Clinical Pharmacology employs methods from molecular and cellular biology and conducts studies to explore the causes of differences in drug effects between individuals.

Members of the Institute have developed significant competences in the fields of medication use, pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacovigilance. In collaboration with pharmacogenetic services, for example, they pursue personalized medical approaches to identify more efficient therapies with fewer side effects. They participate in ward rounds and provide consultant support to medical staff at the clinic and policlinic in questions about patient-specific drug therapy.  

Located on the premises of the Immanuel Klinik Rüdersdorf, the MHB Institute of Clinical Pharmacology is in charge of teaching pharmacology to prospective physicians and psychologists and conducts research in pharmacology. Research projects address issues of drug therapy that are of relevance to patients.

For more details (in German) see here.