Discovery and development of drugs

• where were many drugs initially discovered

  plants and microorganisms
• new drugs need to be tested for toxicity, efficiency and dose
• plants

  • aspirin is used as a painkiller (originates from willow)
  • digitalis is used to treat heart problems (originates from foxgloves)
• microorganisms

  penicillin

  • alexander fleming was growing bacteria on plates
  • he found mould with clear rings around it that indicated there was no longer any bacteria there
  • he found that mould was producing penicillin which killed bacteria
• what is preclinical testing

  using cells, tissues and live animals
• what is clinical testing

  using volunteers and patients
• how are drugs tested using clinical testing

  1. tested on healthy volunteers with a low dose to ensure there are no harmful side effects
  2. drugs are tested on patients to find the most effective dose
  3. patients are split into two groups, one receiving the drug and one receiving a placebo so the effect can be observed
  4. results are peer reviewed by other scientists