Drug Discovery: A History
This lively new text considers the origins, development and history of medicines that generate high media interest and have a huge social and economic impact on society.
Set within a wide historical, social and cultural context, it provides expanded coverage of pre-twentieth century drugs, the huge advances made in the twentieth century and the latest developments in drug research.
- Up-to-the-minute information in drug research
- Vignettes of special and unusual information, and anecdotes
- Discusses drug prototypes from all sources
- More comprehensive than other volumes on history of drug discovery
From the reviews:
"...an excellent bibliographic resource for those interested in the background papers that serve as the foundation for discovery of specific drug entities." JOURNAL OF MEDICAL CHEMISTRY, June 2006
"...a very comprehensive overview of drug development. It should be on the shelf on any aspiring pharmacist, medicinal chemist, or person interested in the history of therapeutic agents." JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, February 2006
"...a very readable and closely researched book..." CHEMISTRY & INDUSTRY, October 2005
Chapter 1. Introduction.
PART 1: LEGACY OF THE PAST.
Chapter 2. The Prehistoric Period.
Chapter 3. Pre-Hellenic Civilisations.
Chapter 4. Greece and Rome.
Chapter 5. The Arab World.
Chapter 6. Herbals.
Chapter 7. Chemical Medecines.
Chapter 8. Systematic Medicine.
PART 2: DRUGS FROM NATURALLY OCCURRING PROTOTYPES.
Section I Phytochemicals.
Chapter 9. Alkaloids.
Chapter 10. Non-Alkaloid Plant Products.
Chapter 11. Plant Product Analogues and Compounds Derived From Them.
Section II Biochemicals.
Chapter 12. The Origins Of Hormone Therapy.
Chapter 13. Neurohormones.
Chapter 14. Peptide Hormones.
Chapter 15. Sex Hormones.
Chapter 16. Adrenal Cortex Hormones.
Chapter 17. Prostaglandins.
Chapter 18. Hormone Analogues.
Chapter 19. Vitamins.
Chapter 20. Antimetabolites.
Chapter 21. Blood and Biological Products.
Section III Drugs from Microorganisms.
Chapter 22. Antibiotics.
Chapter 23. Antibiotic Analogues.
Chapter 24. Pharmacodynamic Agents from Microorganisms.
Chapter 25. Analogues of Pharmacodynamic Agents from Fungi.
PART 3: SYNTHETIC DRUGS.
Chapter 26. The First Synthetic Drugs and Their Analogues.
Chapter 27. Drugs Originating from the Screening of Dyes.
Chapter 28. Drugs Originating from the Screening of Organic Chemicals.
Chapter 29. Drugs Discovered through Serendipitous Observations Involving Humans.
Chapter 30. Drugs Disocvered through Serendipity in the Laboratory.
Chapter 31. Concluding Remarks.
- Not simply a list of chemical reactions. Also includes social and cultural points of view.
- Includes vignettes of special and unusual information, anecdotes.
- Lively, narrative style and highly readable.
- More comprehensive than other volumes on history of drugs.
"…an entertaining as well educationally enlightening read." (Bulletin of the History of Chemistry, Volume 31, Number 2, 2006)
"The scientist or lay person wanting a general background on the history of discovery, as well as glimpse of what is in store for the future, will find this book useful." (Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, No. 2, 2006)
" … an excellent bibliographic resource for those interested in the background papers that serve as the foundation for discovery of specific drug entities." (Journal of Medical Chemistry, June 2006)
"…a valuable source of information and an enjoyable review of the age of synthetic chemistry with its great therapeutic success." (American Journal of Therapeutics, March/April 2006)
"…a very comprehensive overview of drug development. It should be on the shelf on any aspiring pharmacist, medicinal chemist, or person interested in the history of therapeutic agents." (Journal of Chemical Education, February 2006)
"…a thoroughly enjoyable book to read, to use as reference, or to jump into at any point. It is a must addition for the libraries of…anyone who wishes to know more about the drug discovery process and how it has evolved over time." (The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, December 2005)
"...an important contribution to the literature on the history of drugs...a valuable resource for those working in the history of pharmacy, medicine, and science." (Pharmacy in History, Vol. 47 (2005) No. 2)
"...crammed with interesting facts and anecdotes." (The Lancet, 2nd July 2005)
"...a very readable and closely researched book..." (Chemistry & Industry, Issue 9, 3rd October 2005)
"...a book of great merit and considerable scholarship..."(Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Vol 98, November 2005)
"...comprehensive..." (Accident & Emergency Nursing, Vol 13, 2005)
"...the book is great value for everybody..." (Pharmazie, Vol 60, December 2005)