What is the primary focus of Materia Medica in pharmacology?

The primary focus of Materia Medica in pharmacology centers around the study of drugs and their effects on the body. This discipline encompasses the identification, properties, and therapeutic uses of various substances used in healing. Materia Medica provides valuable insights into how different medications interact with biological systems and the resultant physiological responses, making it foundational for understanding pharmacology.

While the creation of new pharmaceuticals and the development of drug discovery techniques are important aspects of the broader field of pharmacology, they are not the essence of Materia Medica. Similarly, regulatory control of drug approval plays a crucial role in ensuring drug safety and efficacy but falls outside the purview of Materia Medica, which is more concerned with the nature and effects of drugs rather than the processes of their approval or creation.