3.1.9 Discovery and Development of Drugs

Where were many drugs originally discovered?

In plants and microorganisms.

What are modern drugs usually made by?

They are mainly synthesised by chemists.

What must new drugs be tested for?

Toxicity, efficacy (how well they carry out their role), and dose.

What is preclinical testing?

Testing using cells, tissues, and live animals.

What is clinical testing?

Testing using volunteers and patients.

How are drugs first tested in clinical trials?

On healthy volunteers with a low dose to ensure no harmful side effects.

What happens after initial testing in clinical trials?

Drugs are then tested on patients to find the most effective dose.

What is a placebo?

A preparation that looks like the drug but has no active ingredient, used to compare effects in clinical trials.

What is a single-blind trial?

Only the doctor knows whether the patient is receiving the drug or placebo.

What is a double-blind trial?

Neither the patient nor the doctor knows whether the patient is receiving the drug or placebo, preventing bias.

Why are clinical trial results peer reviewed?

To check for repeatability and reliability by other scientists.

Give two examples of drugs originally derived from plants.

Aspirin (used as a painkiller, originates from willow) and digitalis (used to treat heart problems, originates from foxgloves).

Who discovered penicillin and how?

Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin when mould (Penicillium mould) grew on his culture plates and killed surrounding bacteria, producing the antibiotic penicillin.