Developing New Drugs

Developing New Drugs

Why Do We Need New Drugs?

New drugs are developed to:
✔ Treat new diseases.
✔ Replace ineffective or resistant drugs.
✔ Ensure safety and reliability for medical use.

💡 Key Concept: All new drugs must be tested for safety, effectiveness, and dosage before they can be given to the public.

Stages of Drug Development

Stage

What Happens?

1️⃣ Preclinical Testing

Tested on cells, tissues, and animals to check safety.

2️⃣ Clinical Trials (Humans)

Low doses tested on healthy volunteers to check for side effects.

3️⃣ Testing on Patients

Given to patients to see if the drug is effective.

4️⃣ Double-Blind Trials

Some patients get the drug, others get a placebo (fake treatment).

5️⃣ Approval for Public Use

Drug is licensed and can be prescribed by doctors.

💡 Key Fact: Double-blind trials help remove bias – neither the doctor nor the patient knows who has the real drug.

Why Is Drug Testing Important?

✔ Ensures drugs are safe (no harmful side effects).
✔ Confirms drugs work (effectiveness).
✔ Determines correct dosage (right amount to take).

💡 Example: Thalidomide was a drug given for morning sickness but caused birth defects because it wasn’t tested properly for pregnancy effects.

Where Do Drugs Come From?

Source

Example Drug

Use

Plants 🌿

Aspirin (from willow bark)

Pain relief

Microorganisms 🦠

Penicillin (from mould)

Antibiotic

Lab-made (synthetic drugs) ⚗️

Paracetamol

Pain relief

💡 Key Fact: Many modern drugs are now synthesised in labs to improve safety and effectiveness.

Questions 

  1. Why do drugs need testing?
  2. What happens in preclinical testing?
  3. What is a placebo?
  4. Why are double-blind trials used?
  5. Name one drug that originally came from plants.

Summary 

  • New drugs must be tested for safety, effectiveness, and dosage.
  • Preclinical testing is done on cells and animals, while clinical trials involve human volunteers.
  • Placebos and double-blind trials ensure fair and unbiased results.
  • Some drugs come from plants and microorganisms, while others are made in labs.