3.1.8

Drug Development

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Drug Discovery

In the past, most drugs were extracted (taken from) from plants and microorganisms. Nowadays, most drugs are synthesised (made) by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Past

  • The heart drug Digitalis originates from foxgloves (a plant). It was first used 200 years ago by William Withering.
  • The painkiller Aspirin originates from willow trees.
  • Alexander Fleming discovered the antibiotic Penicillin, which is made from the Penicillium mould.
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Present

  • Nowadays, most drugs are synthesised (made) by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • But the ingredients of these drugs may be chemicals extracted (taken) from plants.

Developing New Drugs

There are different types of drugs being developed today:

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Antibiotics

  • Scientists are always trialling new antibiotics for when new strains of resistant bacteria appear.
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Antiviral drugs

  • Viruses are found inside cells. This means it's hard to destroy them without damaging the body’s cells and tissues.
  • Antiviral drugs are used to treat viral infections.
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Painkillers

  • Painkillers are used to relieve the pain caused by an infection.
  • They do not cure diseases or kill pathogens, but they do relieve the symptoms.
  • Aspirin is an example of a painkiller.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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