Medication

Definition and Forms of Medication

• Medication is a medicine or chemical compound used to treat or cure illness.
• Dosage forms include tablets, capsules, liquids, creams, and patches.
• Medications can be administered orally, intravenously, or through drops in the ear or eye.
• Placebos are used in research studies.
• In Europe, medications are termed as medicinal products defined by EU law.

Usage of Medication Among Elderly Americans

• A study of 2377 elderly individuals showed 84% took prescription drugs, 44% took over-the-counter drugs, and 52% took dietary supplements.
• In another study of 2245 elderly Americans, the percentages were 88%, 38%, and 64%, respectively.

Classification of Medications

• Traditional small molecule drugs vs. biological medical products.
• Traditional drugs are usually chemically synthesized, while biological medical products include vaccines, recombinant proteins, and gene therapies.
• Categorized based on pharmacological properties like mode of action and therapeutic effects.
• Various classification systems exist, such as the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.
• The World Health Organization maintains a list of essential medicines.

Drug Discovery and Development

• A complex and costly process involving pharmaceutical companies, academic scientists, and governments.
• Partnering is common to advance drug candidates through development pipelines.
• Governments regulate drug marketing, pricing, and disposal.
• Controversies over drug pricing and disposal of used drugs have arisen.

Regulation of Medications

• Governments regulate marketing, pricing, and disposal of drugs.
• Drug regulations ensure safety, efficacy, and proper use.
• Regulations vary across jurisdictions.
• Partnerships are common in advancing drug candidates.

Medication Data Sources