How is the safety of drugs determined?

09/10/2025 31 min Episodio 119
How is the safety of drugs determined?

Listen "How is the safety of drugs determined?"

Episode Synopsis

It takes a long time for medicines to be developed. Looking at drugs used in women's health and more, Laura and Ellie look at what goes into their development, how the risks are weighed against the benefits, and how the known benefits of a drug can change as we learn more about them.
Fact check:

A review of paracetamol/Tylenol development
Statistics on drug development
How much paracetamol is consumed in the UK in a year
Thalidomide is still in use, but not for treating morning sickness
Quinine for leg cramps should maybe be a last resort
Statistics on use of the contraceptive pill
Side effects of the contraceptive pill