Posted by IsoM on February 1, 2002, at 1:23:14
In reply to Re: Reason For Release of New Drugs, posted by OldSchool on January 31, 2002, at 19:19:29
Old School, we're both on the same side, even if our comments seem not to be. I thoroughly do agree with you about putting money into developing truly new drugs & that they're already tested long enough in Europe without the FDA needing to spend years more.
The point I was trying to make was that the new Celexa ISN'T more effective than the old. Just that side-effects that bother a few will be much less. I'd also like to explain a little about chemistry, if you wouldn't mind.
Compounds that consist of two different isomers are called racemic mixtures. One of the isomers is effective & the other often isn't. But it still can have an effect on the body. Thalidomide that was prescribed for morning sickness in pregnant women a few decades ago was a racemic compound. The birth defects that were caused by thalidomide (seal flipper-like limbs) was a result of the ineffective isomer of thalidomide.
Research has come a long ways & has now developed a relatively simple method to separate a racemic mixture. This has being done with thalidomide & it's now used in treating leprosy. Millions of dollars were not poured into developing a new Celexa - instead new developments are being applied to different areas & one of them is in the separation of the two isomers of Celexa. Plain & simple.
And yes, I do believe that the original patent running out on Celexa has a lot to do with the timing of the release of the new compound. I just like to separate the truth from the accusations. If information isn't accurate & has too much rhetoric to it, fewer people will be convinced.
poster:IsoM
thread:91928
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/92481.html