Pharmaceutical

Referring to drugs and medications, the term encompasses the entire process of drug development, manufacturing, distribution, and use for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

 

Drug Development:

The step-by-step process of discovering, testing, and bringing a new pharmaceutical product to the market, involving preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory approval.

 

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API):

The biologically active component in a drug formulation that produces the desired therapeutic effect, also known as the “drug substance.”

 

Formulation:

The specific composition and preparation of a pharmaceutical product, determining its physical form, dosage, and method of administration.

 

Biopharmaceuticals (Biologics):

Medications derived from living organisms, such as proteins, antibodies, or nucleic acids, offering innovative therapeutic approaches.

 

Generic Drug:

A pharmaceutical product that is bioequivalent to a brand-name drug in terms of active ingredients, dosage form, strength, and route of administration, often available at a lower cost.

 

Pharmacokinetics:

The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs, influencing the drug’s concentration and effect over time.

 

Pharmacodynamics:

The study of how drugs exert their effects on the body, including the mechanisms of action and the relationship between drug concentration and response.

 

Placebo:

An inactive substance given to patients in clinical trials as a control, helping researchers assess the true effects of a drug by comparing them to the effects of an inert substance.

 

Orphan Drug:

A pharmaceutical product developed to treat rare medical conditions, often qualifying for special incentives and regulatory considerations.