Mercer Pharmacy Launches First-Ever Course on Exercise Pharmacology

Mercer University College of Pharmacy has introduced a groundbreaking new elective that blends two powerful fields: pharmacology and exercise science. Designed and taught by Dr. Sherif Hafez, Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, this course is the first of its kind ever offered at Mercer.

For Dr. Hafez, the class represents the intersection of his two greatest passions: pharmacology and exercise. “Pharmacology is what I do in life, but exercise is also a personal passion,” he said. “I wanted to create a course that combines both, while giving students knowledge that is often missing—even for those who exercise regularly.”

The course explores exercise not just as a lifestyle choice but as a powerful therapeutic tool. “Pharmacology is the science of drug action,” Dr. Hafez says. “And I teach my students that exercise is, in fact, a drug. It acts on the body, lowering blood pressure, improving blood sugar control, and helping to manage conditions like diabetes and obesity. Just like medications, exercise has mechanisms of action that can be understood, studied, and applied.”

This pioneering elective is currently offered to second and third-year pharmacy students, equipping them with a deeper understanding of how exercise influences health at the molecular and systemic levels. By the end of the semester, students will be able to explain not only the benefits of physical activity but also the underlying mechanisms that make it such a critical part of disease prevention and management.

Dr. Hafez developed the course entirely from scratch and takes pride in its historic launch. “This is the first time anything like this has been offered in Mercer’s history,” he says. “I’m proud to bring it to life, and I hope my students walk away with a lifelong appreciation for exercise as medicine.”