Human Pharmacology

Abstract

The compound has now been identified and subjected to animal pharmacological investigation followed by initial animal toxicology work. Considering all of the results so far it is established that the new medicine appears to have interesting activity, which in the opinion of the researchers should be followed up rapidly by investigation in man. The key to successful development is to try the compound in man as soon as possible in the course of its development. Although animal tests do have a predictive value they do not provide any absolute degree of predictability, and therefore the only way of being sure that the compound has suitable utility and safety in man (and that it is not differentially toxic to man, for instance) is to proceed to human pharmacology. Furthermore there is an additional benefit because the information gained from human pharmacology studies might be utilised to alter the design of the chemical so that it more efficiently fits the human need.