What does pharmacology study?

Pharmacology is primarily concerned with how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. This includes studying the mechanisms of action, the biological effects, and the therapeutic uses of pharmaceuticals. Understanding the fate of drugs within the body provides crucial insights into their efficacy, safety, and potential interactions with other substances.

While the other options relate to aspects associated with pharmacology, they do not encompass the comprehensive study of the interactions and processes that pharmacology specifically addresses. The study of drug composition is an important aspect but does not encompass the broader scope of pharmacological effects and behaviors in the body. The history of drug development provides historical context but doesn’t represent the fundamental focus of pharmacology itself. Similarly, effects of herbal treatments might fall under a different category of study within natural products or alternative medicine rather than the core principles of pharmacology as it relates to pharmaceuticals. Thus, focusing on the body's interactions with drugs accurately reflects the essence of pharmacology.