Chemistry and the Pharmaceutical Industry

Chemistry plays the most important role in the manufacturing and development of drugs in Pharmaceutical companies. Drug discovery and development are operated by the knowledge of the chemistry of the molecules and their interference with the life process.

Chemical substances used in treating various diseases, analgesics, etc., are called medicines or drugs. The word drug is derived from drogue, which means dry herbs. The science of treatment of diseases by chemical compounds is called chemotherapy. Chemotherapy was first postulated in 1973 by Paul Ehrlich. He is known as the father of modern chemotherapy. He defined chemotherapy as follows: “The therapy  in which chemicals (drugs) used for the destruction of micro-organisms which do not harm the host are known as chemotherapy”. 

“Natural or synthetic chemical substances used for the treatment of diseases and for reducing pain are known as medicine or drugs”. A branch of chemistry in which treatment of diseases by using suitable chemicals is done is known as chemotherapy.

Classification of Drugs

Drugs are classified in the following ways based on different criteria:-

(a) Based on Pharmacological effect: It is useful for doctors because it provides them with the whole range of drugs available to treat a particular type of problem. 

(b) Based on chemical structure: As we know, the target of all drugs is bio-molecules that are of a specific structure. (We have studied in detail in unit-14). Drugs having similar target activity often have a similar structure. For example: In sulpha drugs, sulphonamides have common structural features. Various sulpha drugs like sulphapyridine, sulfadiazine, sulphate aniline, sulphathiazole, etc., are sulfonamide derivatives.

Designing of drugs in pharmaceutical companies

In pharmaceutical companies, designing drugs is based on the chemistry or reaction of molecules according to the atmosphere. So the designing of drugs, the followings four facts are viewed:-

(i) Drug target

(ii) Drug Metabolism

(iii) Physiological function of drug target

(iv) Mechanism of action of the drug.

(i) Drug target:- Drugs usually interact with molecules like carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, known as drug targets. Correct selection of target molecules for a drug is necessary for maximum medical effect.

(ii) Drug Metabolism: A drug should be designed in such a way that it should reach the target without being metabolised. Thus, it acts in the body without any harm.

(iii) Physiological function of drug target: The physiological function of the drug target helps us select a compound that helps interact with the target and is medically active. These compounds are known as lead compounds, and drugs are prepared to start from these lead compounds.

(iv) Mechanism of action of drug: Knowledge of the mechanism of the drug and the biosystem’s metabolic path helps us improve the quality of the drug and helps in preventing its ill effects.

Types of drugs using chemistry

Various drugs are simple chemical salts that do not represent the name of the trade under which these drugs are sold in the market. These salts are used by various pharmaceutical companies, but the name of the medicine is not the same. Some specific medicines are as follows:

Neurologically Active Drugs

1Though modern civilisation culture has made our life comfortable and glamorous. It has also increased mental tension. Many of us take sleeping pills and other medicines to relieve the tension. The drugs used for this purpose are known as ‘neurologically active’ drugs, which affect the message transfer mechanism from nerves to the receptor. The two types of Neurologically Active Drugs are:-

1. Tranquillisers: The drugs have a type of chemical composition which helps in the treatment of mental diseases known as Tranquilizers. Like Veronal, luminaries, and secondly, Amitol, Nembutal, chlordiazepoxide, equanimity, etc.

2. Analgesics: Chemical substances used as drugs to relieve pain are known as analgesics. These are of two types Narcotic and Non-narcotic.

Antimicrobials

Antimicrobials are drugs that are used for the treatment of diseases caused by microorganisms like bacteria or viruses. Our body has the capability to resist microorganisms. Liquids secreted by the body either destroy these micro-organisms or prevent their growth like the secretion of dil. HCl by the stomach and secretion of fatty acid is lactic acid by sweat.

Some important antimicrobials are :

 (a) Antibiotic (b) Antiseptic (c) Disinfectant

1. Antibiotics: Chemical substances which are produced by microorganisms and are used to destroy other microorganisms are called antibiotics.

2. Antiseptic: A composition of chemicals which helps to prevent the growth of microorganisms and also kills them without harming living tissue are called Antiseptic. It is applied on wounds, ulcers, and skin surfaces.

3. Disinfectants: Chemical substances which stop the growth of microorganisms or destroy, but also destroy living tissue are called disinfectants.

Conclusion

Chemistry is used for many purposes but pharmaceuticals are one of the main purposes of using chemistry as a drug for curing and healing people. Chemistry is the backbone of the pharmaceutical industry, without it the pharmaceutical industry has nothing to do.