Module 1C market perspectives

Question 0

Describe how convenience and compliance represent “added value” to the consumer and prescriber (4)

Answer 0

Convenience allows the patients to take medication easier therefore are more likely to purchase. This is linked to compliance which results in improved drug therapy as intended by the prescriber.

Question 1

Outline 6 commercial reasons for the continued research and development of advanced drug systems (12)

Answer 1

1. Convenience and compliance
2. Efficacy
3. Protecting franchises (improve dosage form to keep patent)
4. Adding value to generics (improve from the original brand)
5. Market expansion (IV -> convenient administration by patient)
6. Creating new markets (gene therapy)

Question 2

What major contribution has advanced drug delivery systems made to anti-inflammatory drug therapy (4)

Answer 2

First gen NSAIDs were short acting and they would wear off during the night leaving the patient in pain in the morning. Advanced drug therapy has allowed for sustained release formulations. It is more convenient for the patient to take and the treatment is more effective as it matches the timing of the effect to the patients clinical need.

Question 3

Reflect on the evolution and structure of the advanced drug delivery sector of the pharmaceutical industry (6)

Answer 3

The current structure of the advanced drug delivery industry is complex. It embraces specialist companies which offer off the shelf and custom developed delivery systems.
There are research teams in areas such as gene therapy and some pharmacological concerns still maintain their own specialist advanced drug delivery formulation units developing pharmaceutical solutions to formulation problems.