Kristiansen JEH and Fey SJ
Pharmacology has focussed on the effects of compounds on tissues and organs with a view to promoting the well-being of a patient. This has been a special case of ‘reality’. With the dual realisation that these compounds can also have effects on microorganisms living in and on the patient and that these microorganisms play a vital role in maintaining the health of the patient it is essential that we modify our perspective to include the host, the microorganisms and compounds that affect either into a general theory for pharmacology.