In a pharmaceutical setting, mathematics is used to increase efficiency and effectiveness of a drug, its research, development and manufacturing. Skills such as statistical review, data interpretation and quantitative reasoning and analysis are very important in the pharmaceutical field. Mathematics is important in the determination of medication dosing, delivery and even taken into account when determining the pharmacokinetics. The statistical aspect of mathematics in the pharmaceutical industry is mainly used in clinical trials of medication. Without statistical analysis, researchers would find it challenging to design, carry out, analyze and interpret experiments and their data. Statistics is the backbone of medical studies whether it be a clinical trial or basic undergraduate level labs. Data interpretation is a large aspect in medicine and without the proper mathematical background it is not possible to have any success in the field.
All devices used in medicine use mathematical algorithms to work. The most basic of instruments that we take for granted such as blood glucose monitor can not be possible without mathematical algorithms. It uses the electrical current created from the test strip when blood is introduced and puts it through a complex series of equations that converts that to a numerical value that illustrates a patient's blood sugar level. More complicated imaging instruments such as an MRI or a CT uses the combined studies of mathematics, physics and computer science to transcribe raw images into a more readable form for a prescriber. Mathematics is the backbone of physics and biology, an instrument that illustrates this relationship is an EKG (Electrocardiogram). An EKG uses pattern recognition and signal processing of electric currents and signals released by the heart inorder to identify any abnormalities in a patient's heart beat.
In the pharmaceutical setting, mathematics will be used for the following: dosage calculations, compounding medication, inventory management and even drug interactions. The basic concept of fractions, ratios and proportions is used to determine dosing of a medication using factors such as weight, age, conditions and administration route. The same concepts are used in compounding medications anywhere from creating 1:1:1:1 Magic Mouthwash to antibiotic suspensions. Without basic arithmetics the management of medication inventory wouldn’t be possible. This inventory management is important for the safe keeping of medication and is even required by the federal government. Mathematical models and algorithms are even used to determine drug interactions to increase effectiveness to and reduce adverse reactions.
Mathematics is the basic backbone of all medicine, ranging from research labs where experiments are conducted, labs where blood is drawn and tests are provided, to the pharmacy where medications are dispensed.
All devices used in medicine use mathematical algorithms to work. The most basic of instruments that we take for granted such as blood glucose monitor can not be possible without mathematical algorithms. It uses the electrical current created from the test strip when blood is introduced and puts it through a complex series of equations that converts that to a numerical value that illustrates a patient's blood sugar level. More complicated imaging instruments such as an MRI or a CT uses the combined studies of mathematics, physics and computer science to transcribe raw images into a more readable form for a prescriber. Mathematics is the backbone of physics and biology, an instrument that illustrates this relationship is an EKG (Electrocardiogram). An EKG uses pattern recognition and signal processing of electric currents and signals released by the heart inorder to identify any abnormalities in a patient's heart beat.
In the pharmaceutical setting, mathematics will be used for the following: dosage calculations, compounding medication, inventory management and even drug interactions. The basic concept of fractions, ratios and proportions is used to determine dosing of a medication using factors such as weight, age, conditions and administration route. The same concepts are used in compounding medications anywhere from creating 1:1:1:1 Magic Mouthwash to antibiotic suspensions. Without basic arithmetics the management of medication inventory wouldn’t be possible. This inventory management is important for the safe keeping of medication and is even required by the federal government. Mathematical models and algorithms are even used to determine drug interactions to increase effectiveness to and reduce adverse reactions.
Mathematics is the basic backbone of all medicine, ranging from research labs where experiments are conducted, labs where blood is drawn and tests are provided, to the pharmacy where medications are dispensed.