Not medical advice. This site is general information only. In an emergency call your local emergency number. For advice about your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional.
FAQ
What is the difference between brand name and generic drugs?
Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient as brand name drugs and must meet the same FDA standards for quality, strength, and purity. Generics cost 80 to 90 percent less because manufacturers do not need to repeat the expensive clinical trials. The FDA ensures generics are bioequivalent to the brand product.
How are new drugs developed?
Drug development takes 10 to 15 years and costs over 2 billion dollars on average. It begins with basic research, followed by preclinical testing in animals. Clinical trials have three phases testing safety, efficacy, and large scale confirmation. Only about 12 percent of drugs that enter clinical trials reach the market. The FDA reviews all data before approval.
What is the WHO Essential Medicines List?
The World Health Organization maintains a list of medications considered essential for basic healthcare. The list includes about 500 medications that should be available in every health system. Medicines on the list are selected based on efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness. The list guides procurement decisions in over 150 countries.
How do antibiotics work?
Antibiotics kill or stop bacteria through several mechanisms. Penicillins and cephalosporins disrupt cell wall synthesis. Tetracyclines and macrolides inhibit protein synthesis. Fluoroquinolones block DNA replication. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop mechanisms to survive these attacks, often through overuse and misuse of antibiotics.
What is the difference between a vaccine and a medication?
Medications treat existing conditions, while vaccines prevent future infections. Vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens. Some medications like PrEP prevent infections, and some vaccines like BCG treat conditions, but the basic distinction holds. Vaccines are among the most cost effective health interventions ever developed.
Why do drugs have side effects?
Drugs affect specific molecular targets, but those targets often exist throughout the body, causing unintended effects. Individual genetic variation affects how people respond to medications. Side effects are discovered during clinical trials and after approval through post marketing surveillance. The FDA maintains the MedWatch system for reporting adverse drug events.