Development phase – 7years
- Phase 1 studies – Studies typically in small groups of healthy human volunteers to understand how the potential medicine works in a human body, distributed around it and excreted. Study to determine a safe dosage and identify side effects takes place. They also begin to develop manufacturing route to ensure the manufacturing process is robust and costs are minimized.
- Phase 2 studies- Studies in small groups of patients to evaluate effectiveness of the medicine.
- Phase 3 studies- Studies in a larger group, looking at larger samples. They gather information about effectiveness and safety of the medicine and evaluate the overall benefit and risk of the medicine. In this phase they create branding for the new medicine. They prepare the medicine so that they can be released to patients.
- Phase 4 – The pharmacy will now have to submit a regulatory submission to get approval from regulatory authorities to market and sell the medicine.
Post- launch and delivering to the patients – 9years
- Releasing it in the market, bringing awareness of the new medicine
- Further study takes place
- Finishes the study of the medicine
From about 20years since the study begun the patent will expire and the medicine will now be in the market by other pharmacies as well.
2. Brand name drugs provide a huge income for pharmaceutical companies.
State one patented drug and the company that developed it. Include an advertisement or product statement for this drug - if possible. Also state the
major effect of the drug and side effects of the drug. What is a generic drug? Does a generic equivalent of your chosen drug exist? If so, what is the name?
AstraZeneca
Medicine name: Crestor
CRESTOR is a member of the statin class; for the treatment of dyslipidaemia. CRESTOR reduces LDL-C (‘bad’ cholesterol) and raises HDL-C (‘good’ cholesterol).
Major side effects
- unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
- fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine;
- swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all; or
- nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less major side effects
- headache, depressed mood;
- mild muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
- constipation;
- mild nausea; or
- stomach pain or indigestion.
3. How long is a patent valid on this drug or medicine (specify the country)?
4. Should economics be the deciding factor in access and distribution of drugs (are drugs like any other commodity or are they somehow different)?
5. For what purpose was the drug Thalidomide (Contergan) used? What problems arose with its use? What problems does this identify with the R & D of drugs?
by
kame5263 (student)
