Drug Development

• antibiotic resistance• drug trials• drugs from natural substances

bacterial resistance• bacteria reproduce once every 20 minutes• mutations in the DNA happen can happen• this can enable some bacteria to be resistant

to antibiotic drugs• exposure to antibiotics increases resistance• MRSA is a bacteria that cannot be killed ( it is

a ‘superbug’)• new drugs always need to be developed

4 phases of clinical trials• safety and dosage tests• check drug works in humans• random testing • public use• sample size increases at each

stage

thalidomide• given to pregnant women in 1950’s• for morning sickness• babies had birth limb defects

northwick park hospital• medical trials went wrong• volunteers nearly died

reasons for taking part in a drug trialmoneyto assist with medical researchto help othersto recieve drugs that may help with an otherwise untreatable disease

Videoclip on drug trialHow is fair testing carried out in the trial?What is a placebo?What is a double blind trial?

drugs from plants• aspirin – willow bark• wormwood - fights malaria• st johns wort - depression