biology unit 1- medicine and drugs

Developing new substances

• substances are tested to see if they cure disease or relieve symptoms
• first tests on cells, tissues or organs in a lab
• second test on animals
• third test on healthy volunteers
• fourth test on patients
• placebos are given to check that the drug really does have an effect
• double blind trial- neither patient or doctor know who has placebo
• thalidomide deleveloped as a sleeping pill but pregant women took it to cure morning sickeness- wasnt tested on pregnant women so the babies were born with…