4.3.1.9 discovery and development of drugs

Question 1

How are medicines initially sourced?

Answer 1

Via plants and mould

Question 2

Where are drugs now designed?

Answer 2

In laboratories by chemists or in the pharmaceutical industry

Question 3

What are the three things new drugs are tested for?

Answer 3

Efficacy
Toxicity
Dose

Question 4

Define efficacy

Answer 4

The test for if drugs work

Question 5

Define toxicity

Answer 5

The test for if the drugs are poisonous

Question 6

Define dose

Answer 6

The most suitable amount to take

Question 7

What are preclinical tests?

Answer 7

These are taken place before humans digest the drug - they are done on cells, tissue samples or live animals.

Question 8

What are the 4 stages to clinical trials?

Answer 8

1. Healthy volunteers try small doses of the drug to check of safety/ side effects.
2. A small dose of patients try low dosage of drug to check for efficacy
3. A larger number try the drug at different doses it trial for optimum dosage.
4. Double blind trial will occur to test effecting of the new drug. Patients divided into groups.

Question 9

What are double blind trials?

Answer 9

This is when both patients and doctors do not know who is taking the real drug or a placebo.

Question 10

Define placebo.

Answer 10

This is the drug a patient has been originally taking, which has no effect.

Question 11

What are the 3 stages in a double blind trial?

Answer 11

1. Details of entry are inputted in a computer database.
2. Computer groups patients randomly.
3. Each person receives a different / unique dosage correspondant to the label with the
   Matching code.