Which field of pharmacology focuses on the characteristics of natural drugs?

The correct focus of pharmacognosy is on the characteristics of natural drugs. This branch of pharmacology involves the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants and other natural sources. It encompasses the identification, extraction, analysis, and synthesis of bioactive compounds found in nature. Pharmacognosists explore how these natural substances function, their chemical properties, and their therapeutic potential.

This field is particularly relevant in the context of drug discovery and development, as many modern pharmaceuticals have origins in natural products. By understanding the natural sources and their effects, pharmacognosy aids in the development of new therapies and the improvement of existing ones.

The other fields mentioned in the question focus on different areas of pharmacology. Pharmacokinetics studies the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in the body. Pharmacotherapeutics deals with the use of drugs to treat diseases and the therapeutic management of patients. Pharmacodynamics examines the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action in the body. Each of these fields addresses important aspects of how drugs work, but they do not specifically center on the study of natural drugs as pharmacognosy does.