B3 - Testing Medicines

Where were many early medicines discovered?

From plants and microorganisms.

Which plant is the heart drug digitalis extracted from?

Foxglove.

Which tree was aspirin originally extracted from?

Willow tree.

Who discovered penicillin?

Alexander Fleming.

Where was penicillin discovered from?

The mould Penicillium.

How are most new drugs developed today?

They are synthesised in labs by pharmaceutical chemists.

What is the starting point for many new drugs today?

A chemical extracted from a plant.

What are the three main things new drugs must be tested for?

Toxicity, effectiveness, and the best dose.

What is toxicity?

How harmful or safe the drug is to humans.

What does effectiveness mean in drug testing?

Whether the drug treats the disease it's meant to.

What does 'dose' mean in drug testing?

The amount of the drug that is both effective and has the fewest side effects.

What is the first stage of drug testing called?

Preclinical testing.

What is preclinical testing done on?

Cells, tissues, and live animals.

Why is preclinical testing not done on humans?

The drug might be too toxic.

What is the second stage of drug testing called?

Clinical testing.

What is clinical testing done on?

Human volunteers.

Who is given the drug in the first stage of clinical trials?

Healthy volunteers.

Why are healthy volunteers used in the first stage of clinical trials?

To test for safety and side effects.

What happens in later stages of clinical testing?

The drug is given to patients to test for effectiveness and the optimal dose.

What is the optimal dose?

The best dose that treats the disease with the fewest side effects.

What is a placebo?

A dummy drug that contains no active ingredient.

Why are placebos used in drug testing?

To compare the effects of the real drug against no treatment.

What is a double-blind trial?

A trial where neither the doctor nor the patient knows who is getting the real drug or the placebo.

Why are double-blind trials used?

To avoid bias in the results or treatment of patients.

What is the control group in a drug trial?

The group that receives the placebo or existing treatment.

Why is drug testing important?

To make sure the drug is safe, effective, and given at the correct dose.

How long can drug development and testing take?

Many years.

What's the main reason why some people improve after taking a placebo?

They believe they are being treated (placebo effect).