Forensic Pharmacology offers a unique and comprehensible account of pharmacological methods and knowledge, and how to use them to solve problems in crimes from drunken driving to murder. It also deals with negligence in giving drugs, and adverse reactions to drugs. The text is enlivened by cases from the literature and from the authors' experience. Appendices give detailed examples of pharmacological problems and their solutions; tables and equations for alcohol calculations; and data for medicines encountered in forensic work. Experts do not always understand what lawyers want of them, and lawyers fail to appreciate that experts in medicine and pharmacology may not be experts in the law. The section entitled 'legal considerations' was written by a barrister with wide experience of using expert evidence and explains clearly the legal principles. It also contains some helpful hints on how to deal with court procedure and adversarial lawyers.

Forensic Pharmacology explores the many links between drugs and forensic science, from drug-induced violence and crime to determining whether a person taking a certain medication is capable of standing trial for a crime, to the forgery of prescriptions. The reader is introduced to the daily work of the scientists, and the principles of pharmacology and toxicology, as well as the various classes and technical analysis of drugs of abuse.

The herbai medicine industry is growing at an astounding rate. Trade group estimates suggest that total sales exceeded $4 billion dollars in 1999. Herbai remedies are for sale not just in health food stores, but in supermar kets, drug stores, and even discount warehouses. Along with the proliferation in sales has come a proliferation ofinformation sources. Not all ofthe sources are equally reliable, or even intelligible. Traditional herbalists c1assify thistle and mugwort as "cholagogues," substances used to make the gallbladder con tract and release bile. Medical school graduates are unlikely to have ever heard the term, or even accept the notion that most right-sided abdominal pain is a result of diminished bile flow. Heroin and cocaine may not be the only drugs to come from plants, but a practicing physician or toxicologist might be forgiven for thinking so. In 1998, 1264 papers were published about cocaine and only 17 about kava kava, an abused herb that is not without toxic side effects. Unfortunately, the majority of the papers about kava kava were published in journals not found in ordi nary hospitallibraries. In recognition ofthis fact, and ofthe obvious need for a reliable reference work on herbai toxicology, The Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology 0/ Herbal Products was an early addition to our new series in Forensie Science and Medicine. It is very badly needed.

This volume is designed to feature the pharmacology of new psychoactive substances, legislative aspects, information exchange including epidemiology, and clinical, forensic, and analytical toxicology in order to facilitate the understanding of this complex and rapidly developing phenomenon.

A treasure trove of uncommon and reliable scientific and clinical information for the toxicity and usefulness of today's leading nonherbal dietary supplements. The supplements detailed were chosen for their popularity, toxicity, and the quantity and quality of information available. Each monograph discusses the history of the compound; its chemical structure; its current and promoted uses, sources, and chemical composition; and its toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and physiological role. Also presented are case reports of adverse effects and interactions, as well as information on reproductive effects, chemical and biofluid analysis, and regulatory status. Each chapter is based on original studies published in reputable peer-reviewed journals, as well as on meta-analyses, systematic reviews, or other high-quality assessments by recognized experts.

1. General Introduction, 2. History of Drug Legislation and Pharmacy Profession in India, 3. Pharmaceutical Ethics, 4. The Pharmacy Act, 1948, 5. The All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987, 6. The University Grants Commission (U.G.C.) Act, 1956, 7. The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 and Rules, 1955, 8. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945, 9. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and Rules, 1985, 10. Medicinal and Toilet Preparations (Excise Duties) Act, 1955 and Rules, 1956, 11. The Industries (Development and Regulations) Act, 1952, 12. The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and Rules, 1955, 13. National Blood Policy, 14. Pharmaceutical Policy-2002, 15. The Drugs (Price Control) Order (DPCO), 1995, 16. WTO, GATS and The Indian Patents Act, 1970 with Amendments