The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7208 p139
27 July 2002

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A concise and accurate overview of pharmacology

'Medical pharmacology at a glance' (4th edition), by M. J. Neal. Pp 102. Price £12.95. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Ltd; 2002. ISBN 0 632 05244 9

Like a well known brand of DIY products, this book does exactly what it says on the label. It provides an "at-a-glance" summary of pharmacology in 45 easily digested, bite-sized chunks.

Each topic is allotted a single diagram and it and the accompanying text are contained within two pages. Text is kept to a minimum, and is largely in the form of an extended legend to the diagram. In the preface the author recommends a three-stage journey towards pharmacological enlightenment. First the student is advised to read the short introductory paragraph using the diagram as a guide. Second, working through the figure with its accompanying legend will cement understanding. Once this is achieved, a glance at the figure will reinforce memory.

However much students might wish it otherwise, some topics are inherently complicated. The danger with any treatment as brief as this is that simplification leads to distortion. There is no room for uncertainty or ambiguity. The author is denied the luxury of speculation and the space to set out alternative views or hypotheses. He must deal largely with the "what" and hope that the interested student will be stimulated to look elsewhere for the "how" and "why". Professor Neal is to be congratulated on avoiding this trap. The writing is sharp, terse and unambiguous.

At first glance, some of the diagrams appear complicated but careful study, guided by the accompanying legend, shows them to be logical and clear.

In this latest edition, drug names conform to the European directive on the use of Recommended International Non-proprietary Names. The most noticeable change for the United Kingdom reader is that from noradrenaline to norepinephrine and from adrenaline to epinephrine.

Again referring to the preface, the author, although acknowledging that the book is primarily aimed at medical students, dares to hope that it will also prove useful to students in other disciplines. Unscientific observation of the high proportion of my own students — of pharmacy, pharmacology and natural sciences — clutching copies of Professor Neal's book, particularly in the run up to examinations, leads me to believe that his hope will be realised.

Any student wanting a concise and accurate overview of pharmacology could do no better than start with this book. Some may find the monochrome diagrams a little dull compared to the technicolour three-dimensional offerings of some transatlantic competitors, but at £12.95, this book is a snip!

Peter Redfern