Final answer:
The movement of a drug by the circulatory system to the intended site of action is known as distribution, a key component of pharmacokinetics which includes studying ADME properties crucial in drug development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movement of a drug by the circulatory system to the intended site of action is a pharmacokinetic action known as distribution. Distribution is one of the four main aspects of pharmacokinetics, along with absorption, metabolism, and excretion (collectively referred to as ADME). It involves the process by which a drug is disseminated throughout the body's fluids and tissues, eventually reaching its target site to exert its therapeutic effect.
Pharmacokinetic studies are crucial from the initial stages of drug discovery through to phase IV clinical development. They involve the use of a variety of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo methods to determine how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. Key pharmacokinetic parameters include the maximum concentration (Cmax), time to reach the maximum concentration (Tmax), plasma drug concentration-time curve (AUC), volume of distribution (Vd), clearance (CL), and elimination half-life (t1/2).