Ever since the dawn of medical practice, drugs have been obtained from many natural sources including plants, animals and minerals. Now, however, tremendous advances in science and technology have resulted in the development of an immense range of new drugs and new formulation. These drugs are manufactured synthetically using a variety of chemicals or by newer techniques.
A drug is a chemical substance used to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose disease, alleviate symptoms or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being. A drug can also be used to correct deficiencies.
- Chemical name-technical, descriptive name
- Generic name-a shorter, official medical name for the basic active ingredient.
- Brand name-a name given by the drug's manufacturer.
Drug classification:
Drugs are classified according to:
- Chemical similarity-such as corticosteroids
- Their therapeutic use-such as antidiarrhoeals
- Their effects on the body-such as diuretics
Dispensing of medication is often regulated by governments into 3 categories:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medication-medications that you can buy without restrictions in pharmacies, shops or supermarkets/hypermarkets.
- Behind-the-counter (BTC) or Pharmacy (P) medicines which can only be sold in registered pharmacies by pharmacist or under the supervision of a pharmacist. This medicine can be sold without needing a doctor's prescription. The range of medicines available without prescription varies from country to country.
- Prescription only medicines (POM) must be prescribed by a registered medical professional.
BTC/P or POM medicines are categorized as Controlled Medicines.
Medications are typically produced by pharmaceutical companies and are often patented to give the developer exclusive rights to produce them. Generic drugs are the drugs that are not patented (or with expired patents) and they can be produced by other companies without restrictions or licenses from the patent holder.
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