2060 ; Lecture Notes Introductory Pharmacology and
Therapeutics (The University of Western Ontario)
MODULE 1: CHEMISTRY OF PHARMACOLOGY
Introduction
Pharmacology: the word pharmacology is derived from the Greek words pharmakon meaning remedy and logos
meaning study, generally pharmacology is considered the study of drugs
The study of drugs can include various aspects, some of which include:
1. How a drug is delivered (its route of administration)
2. How a drug works (it’s mechanism of action)
3. The therapeutic effect of drugs on patients
4. The adverse effects of drugs on patients
Classification of Therapeutics
1. Drugs – traditional drugs (i.e. chemical agents)
2. Biologics – antibodies and hormones
3. Natural Health Products – herbals, vitamins, and minerals
Canadian Drug Legislation
Therapeutic
Products
Directorate
Health Canada Biologics & Genetics
Food and Drugs Act
Health Canada Products and Food Therapies
& Regulation
Branch Directorate
Natural Health
Products
Directorate
Drugs
Drugs have 3 types of names:
- Chemical Name - describes the chemical structure of the molecule; used by chemists only
- Generic Name – a unique name that identifies a drug and is most commonly used in pharmacology (note:
often there are very many names for the same drug if many companies make it)
- Trade Name – the name assigned by the drug company, it is easy to remember and marketable Example:
- Chemical name: 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin2(2H)-
one
- Generic name: Diazepam
- Trade name: Valium
Approval of Marketed Drugs in Canada
1. Drug Discovery/Preclinical Testing
a. In cultured cells, living tissue or experimental animals
b. Evaluate the biological effects, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the drug
c. Time: ~ 6.5 years
2. Clinical Trial Application
a. Submitted to Health Canada prior to any human studies
b. Involves a lot of paper work detailing all the pre-clinical data found
Therapeutics (The University of Western Ontario)
MODULE 1: CHEMISTRY OF PHARMACOLOGY
Introduction
Pharmacology: the word pharmacology is derived from the Greek words pharmakon meaning remedy and logos
meaning study, generally pharmacology is considered the study of drugs
The study of drugs can include various aspects, some of which include:
1. How a drug is delivered (its route of administration)
2. How a drug works (it’s mechanism of action)
3. The therapeutic effect of drugs on patients
4. The adverse effects of drugs on patients
Classification of Therapeutics
1. Drugs – traditional drugs (i.e. chemical agents)
2. Biologics – antibodies and hormones
3. Natural Health Products – herbals, vitamins, and minerals
Canadian Drug Legislation
Therapeutic
Products
Directorate
Health Canada Biologics & Genetics
Food and Drugs Act
Health Canada Products and Food Therapies
& Regulation
Branch Directorate
Natural Health
Products
Directorate
Drugs
Drugs have 3 types of names:
- Chemical Name - describes the chemical structure of the molecule; used by chemists only
- Generic Name – a unique name that identifies a drug and is most commonly used in pharmacology (note:
often there are very many names for the same drug if many companies make it)
- Trade Name – the name assigned by the drug company, it is easy to remember and marketable Example:
- Chemical name: 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepin2(2H)-
one
- Generic name: Diazepam
- Trade name: Valium
Approval of Marketed Drugs in Canada
1. Drug Discovery/Preclinical Testing
a. In cultured cells, living tissue or experimental animals
b. Evaluate the biological effects, pharmacokinetics and toxicity of the drug
c. Time: ~ 6.5 years
2. Clinical Trial Application
a. Submitted to Health Canada prior to any human studies
b. Involves a lot of paper work detailing all the pre-clinical data found
