Introduction<br />Have you ever wondered how the drug you take when you're sick is developed? The process begins with chemistry, specifically medicinal chemistry, which plays a fundamental role in drug design, development, and testing until it reaches pharmacies. In this article, we review the journey of a drug from concept to production, and the importance of chemistry at every step.<br />First: Drug Design<br />It begins in the chemistry lab, where scientists work to design a chemical molecule capable of affecting a specific part of the human body (such as a protein or enzyme that causes a disease).<br />Computer programs are used to design the molecules, and their effectiveness is initially tested in test tubes.<br />Second: Chemical Synthesis<br />After selecting the appropriate molecule, chemists manufacture it using complex chemical reactions, ensuring that it is:<br />Pure and free of impurities.<br />Stable (does not degrade easily).<br />Effective in small quantities.<br /> Third: Preclinical Trials<br />Trials are conducted on cells or animals to understand:<br />How does the drug distribute in the body?<br />Does it have serious side effects?<br />What is a safe dose?<br />Chemistry helps analyze the drug's concentration in the body and how long it remains active.<br />Fourth: Clinical Trials<br />These trials involve volunteers in three phases:<br />Safety phase: Testing the dose and side effects.<br />Efficacy phase: Does the drug actually work to treat the disease?<br />Comparative phase: Comparing the drug with existing drugs or with a placebo.<br />During these phases, precise chemical analysis tools such as chromatography and spectroscopy are used to monitor the drug's efficacy and purity.<br />Fifth: Industrial Production and Distribution<br />After approval, the drug is manufactured in large quantities. This is where industrial chemistry comes in to ensure that each batch of the drug:<br />Contains the same composition.<br /><br />Does it not become contaminated.<br />Is it packaged to preserve its potency.<br /> Sixth: Post-Market Surveillance<br />Even after a drug is released, pharmaceutical companies and health authorities monitor its real-world effects. Chemists remain on the scene to analyze any unexpected interactions.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />Chemistry is not just a theoretical subject; it is at the heart of every step of the pharmaceutical industry. From developing the initial molecule to packaging it, chemists work to ensure that the drug is safe and effective. It's a long journey, but it always begins in a test tube in a chemistry lab.<br /><br />Al _ Mustaqbal University, the first university in Iraq<br />Prepared by: Shahad Nawras Abbas<br />