While Trinity College was founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, it was not until the 18th centuary that a formal Medical School and curriculum were established. The first Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy was appointed in 1749. The practice of a Senior Physician teaching Materia Medica/Therapeutics was maintained until the 1950's. Following an international review, a more science-baced preclinical Pharmacology Discipline was establised in the 1960's under Dr G.W. Pennington when he was appointed lecturer in charge of the Discipline. A clinical Senior lecturer (part-time) contributed in the clinical years. With support from the Wellcome Foundation, research laboratories were established. With the retirement of the Professor of Pharmacology, C.M. Wilson, in the early 1980's, the University decided to restructure the replacement appointment with one in Clinical Pharmacology. The Discipline took on more clinical responsibilities and was renamed and the Chair in Pharmacology and Therapeutics was established in 1984. A number of distinct areas evolved over the years, and currently include:
We also contribute towards the BSc in Human Health & Disease