A pharmaceutical drug (also referred to as medicine, medication, or simply as drug) is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Drug therapy (pharmacotherapy) is an important part of the medical field and relies on the science of pharmacology for continual advancement.
A biological drug is a substance that is made from a living organism or its products and is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases. Biological drugs include antibodies, interleukins, and vaccines. They are also called biologic agent and biological agent.
Discuss the following in a group or as a class:
- What is the difference between synthesized chemical drugs and biological drugs?
- Which do you think are safer: chemical drugs or biological drugs? Why?
Video
Watch this video from the Wall Street Journal online.
Reflection
Discussion
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