A1 Understand health issues page 43 Flashcards
What are pharmacokinetics, and why are they important in drug development?
Pharmacokinetics involves understanding how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and excreted by the body, which is crucial to determining its effectiveness and safety.
What does pharmacodynamics refer to in the context of drug development?
Pharmacodynamics refers to how the drug acts within the body and its likely biochemical effects.
What are in vivo studies, and why are they necessary despite laboratory and computer simulations?
In vivo studies involve testing drugs on living organisms, typically animals, and are necessary because simulations cannot always predict how chemicals will act in complex living systems.
Why are initial drug trials conducted on healthy individuals?
Initial drug trials are conducted on healthy individuals to ensure that the drug is safe for human use before testing it on individuals with the disease.
What is the purpose of comparing a drug to a placebo during trials?
Comparing a drug to a placebo ensures that the drug is more effective than using no treatment at all.
What happens after a drug successfully passes trials comparing it to a placebo and current treatments?
After passing placebo trials and trials against current treatments, the feasibility of producing the drug on a large scale and its economic viability are considered.
What factors are considered before producing a drug on a large scale?
Factors such as production feasibility, economic viability, and the potential market size are considered before producing a drug on a large scale.
What is required for a pharmaceutical company to apply for a drug license in different countries?
A pharmaceutical company must apply for a license in each country where the drug will be used, which dictates its approved uses, availability, and other important factors.
