developing new medicine

• What are the two main uses of drugs mentioned in the video?

  Relieve symptoms and help cure diseases
• Why have microorganisms and plants been valuable in drug development?

  They produce substances that kill pathogens
• What is aspirin commonly used for?

  To lower fevers and relieve pain
• What is digitalis used to treat?

  Heart problems like heart failure
• Who discovered penicillin and how?

  Alexander Fleming discovered it from a fungus
• What are the three main factors to consider when testing drugs?

  Efficacy, toxicity, and dosage
• What does efficacy refer to in drug testing?

  How well the drug works
• What does toxicity refer to in drug testing?

  How harmful the drug is
• What does dosage refer to in drug testing?

  How much of the drug should be given
• What are the three main stages of drug testing?

  1. Testing on human cells and tissues
  2. Testing on live animals
  3. Clinical testing on humans
• What is the benefit of testing drugs on human cells and tissues?

  It allows easy and cheap testing
• Why is testing on live animals important?

  It gives insight into efficacy and toxicity
• What types of mammals must drugs be tested on in the UK?

  Two different types like mice and rabbits
• What is the first step in clinical testing?

  Giving drugs to healthy volunteers
• What is the aim of the initial clinical testing phase?

  To check for side effects at low doses
• What is the goal of the second phase of clinical testing?

  To find the optimum dosage for patients
• What is the purpose of using a placebo in clinical trials?

  • To compare effects with the real drug
  • To avoid bias in reporting side effects
  • To ensure valid results
• What does it mean for a trial to be double-blind?

  Neither doctors nor volunteers know the treatment
• Why is peer review important in drug testing?

  It checks fairness and prevents false claims
• What is the final step after drug testing is complete?

  Results are written up and peer-reviewed
• What is the significance of the rigorous analysis by other scientists?

  It helps prevent false claims from publication