Testing New Drugs Flashcards
What tests need to be done on new drugs before they can be used?
Safety & Effectiveness
How are these drugs tested?
They are tested on both Human Cells Grown in the Laboratory and on Animals
How do the results between testing on Human Cells Grown in the Laboratory and Animals differ?
Tests on Human Cell Grown in the Laboratory; Advantages; - Show if the drugs are effective - Show if drugs will damage cells - No people or animals are harmed
Disadvantages;
- Don’t show effect on whole organism
- Some say growing human cells is wrong
Testing on Animals;
Advantages;
- Show if drugs are effective within body conditions
- Show if drugs are safe for whole body
Disadvantages;
- Animals can suffer and die
- Animals may react differently to humans
Who are Clinical Trials carried out on?
Healthy volunteers to test for safety
People with the illness to test for safety and effectiveness
What does the term ‘Blind Trials’ mean?
Patients don’t know which drugs they’re given but the doctor does. If the patient knows, they may give biased information. It’s possible the doctor’s body language may give me clues.
What does the term ‘Double-Blind Trials’ mean?
Neither the patient nor doctor know which drug is used. Results should be very accurate, due to removing bias. Sometime’s it’s impossible to keep what the drug is from the doctor.
What does the term ‘Open-label Trials’ mean?
Both the doctor and patient know that they are using a new treatment. This is used when the new treatment is very similar to the original, or when a drug is being compared to physical therapy
What does the term ‘Long-term Trials’ mean?
These are important for ensuring that there are no harmful side effects and to make sure that the treatment continues to be effective.
Is it right to give the patient a harmless drug?
Giving a patient a placebo (aka harmless drugs) are used in comparison trials. Using placebos means that the patient isn’t treated for the problem.
