Developing drugs

• What must drugs go through before being given to the general public?


  A thorough testing procedure
• What are the three main stages in drug testing?

  1. Preclinical testing
  2. Testing on live animals
  3. Clinical trials on human volunteers
• What is the first stage of drug testing?

  Preclinical testing
• What is tested during preclinical testing?


  Drugs are tested on human cells and tissues in the lab
• Why can't human cells and tissues be used to test drugs that affect whole body systems?


  Because those drugs need an intact circulatory system for testing
• What is the next step after preclinical testing?


  Testing the drug on live animals
• What are the three main purposes of testing drugs on live animals?

  To test efficacy, toxicity, and find the best dosage
• How many different live mammals must a new drug be tested on according to British law?


  Two different live mammals
• What is the argument regarding animal testing for drugs?


  Some think it's cruel, while others believe it's the safest way to ensure drug safety
• What happens if a drug passes tests on animals?

  It is tested on human volunteers in a clinical trial
• Why are healthy volunteers tested first in clinical trials?


  To ensure the drug doesn't have harmful side effects when the body is working normally
• What is done at the start of a clinical trial with healthy volunteers?


  A very low dose of the drug is given, which is gradually increased
• What happens if the results of tests on healthy volunteers are good?


  The drugs can be tested on people suffering from the illness
• What is the optimum dose?


  The dose of drug that is the most effective and has few side effects
• How are patients grouped in clinical trials to test drug effectiveness?


  Patients are randomly put into two groups: one receives the drug, the other a placebo
• What is a placebo?


  A substance that looks like the drug being tested but doesn’t have any effect
• Why is a placebo used in drug testing?


  To see the actual difference the drug makes and allow for the placebo effect
• What does it mean for clinical trials to be blind?


  The patient does not know whether they’re receiving the drug or the placebo
• What is a double-blind trial?


  Neither the patient nor the doctor knows which treatment is given until results are gathered
• Why are results of drug testing not published until peer review?


  To prevent false claims and ensure validity
• What is peer review in drug testing?


  • Other scientists check the work
  • Ensures validity and rigorous execution
  • Helps prevent false claims
• What is the placebo effect?


  When a patient expects treatment to work and feels better even though the treatment isn’t effective
• Why is the placebo effect mentioned in the context of revision?


  Because expecting to do well without effort won't lead to good results
• What should students do to prepare for exams effectively?

  • Read through the material slowly
  • Review information repeatedly
  • Avoid relying solely on expectations