Pharmaceutical Drugs are natural or chemical substances used for treating, curing and preventing different types of diseases. A wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs are used for relieving acute pains and help in controlling mental or physical ailments. In Pharmaceutical Industry drugs are commonly known as medicines. Pharmaceutical Drugs are widely used for treating a multitude of diseases like cough, cold, diabetes, cancer, HIV, headache, viral fever, nausea, typhoid, tuberculosis, tumor, heart attack, hyper tension, depression, etc. A majority of these medications can be purchased as generic drugs.
Laws in different countries generally classify pharmaceutical drugs into two types, namely, over-the-counter drugs (OTC) and prescription only medicines (POM). While OTC drugs are available in the market without special restrictions, POM drugs can be purchased only if they have been prescribed by licensed medical practitioners.
Generally, when a new drug is formulated, it is patent protected, which allows only the company that developed the drug to sell it. Once the patent expires, the medication acquires a generic drug status and can be produced and sold without the patent protection. Further, while the patent on the active ingredient may not hold, the protection on formulation may continue. According to IMS Health market research, the prescription drug sales around the world grew 6.4% to $712 billion in 2007. |
Anti-infective pharmaceutical drugs comprise a group of medications, which stop or combat the growth of harmful microorganism within the body without harming it. These medicines, commonly available as generic drugs interfere with the growth mechanisms of bacteria, virus, fungi, protozoa etc and prevent them from multiplying. Pharmaceutical companies make anti-infective generic drugs of different types including antibacterials, antifungals, anti malarial, leprosy prescription drugs, anti microbial and antivirals. Some common anti-infective drugs are amphotericin B,
fluconazole, terbinafine, artesunate, mefloquine,
itraconazole and more.
Antihistamines, also known as histamine antagonists, are pharmaceutical drugs taken for preventing and treating allergies, itching, hayfever and symptoms of insect bites or stings. Antihistamines manufactured by pharmaceutical companies are classified as H1, H2, H3, H4 receptor antagonist and mast cell stabilizers. Often available as generic drugs, examples of this class of medication include
diphenhydramine, loratadine, cimetidine, famotidine,
cetirizine , ciproxifan and clobenpropit.
Antineoplastic agents are used for restricting or hindering the growth of neoplasms within the body. These pharmaceutical drugs check the maturation and growth of malignant cells and prevent them from damaged healthy cells. Antineoplastic agents produced by pharmaceutical companies are primarily taken for treating and controlling different types of tumors or cancers multiplying within the human body. Some common and well-recognized generic drugs of this family are
etoposide, flurorouracil, methotrexate, paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide,
estrogen and doxorubicin. Antineoplastic agents can be given to patients either in combination with other generic drugs or alone.
Pharmaceutical companies produce these medications particularly for treating, curing and controlling viral infections are called anti viral prescription drugs. These pharmaceutical drugs stimulate the immune system of the human body and block the process through which viruses reproduce rather than killing them outright. Generic drugs of Anti viral agents are available in the market come packaged in various forms like capsules, pills, tablets, ointments, creams, liquids and injections. Some commonly used anti viral drugs are flumadine, acyclovir, amantidine, ganciclovir and valacyclovir.
These pharmaceutical drugs are specifically used to kill neoplastic cells. Cancer prescription drugs, many of which are generic drugs, can be used to treat different types of cancers such as colon rectum, breast, stomach, head, neck, liver, brain, skin, testicular, bone, pancreatic etc. These medicines block abnormal cell division, charecterstic of cancer by various means, interfering with the duplication of DNA, or seperating new born chromosomes. Some common cancer drugs include
paclitaxel, carboplatin, cisplatin, etoposide, docetaxel, cyclophosphamide,
vincristine, ifosfamide, and more. The worldwide cancer generic drugs market for pharmaceutical companies is equivalent to US $ 24 billion, which is forecasted to cross US $ 55 billion by the end of year 2009.
These medicines include a whole ensemble of generic drugs, given to patients suffering from heart and related disorders. Some commonly used types of cardiovascular prescription drugs that pharmaceutical companies market are antiarrhythmic agents, antithrombotic agents, vasoconstrictor etc. Some known cardiovascular drugs include
nifedipine, amlodipine, benidipine, celiprolol, dilitiazem,
atenolol, amiodarone and digoxin. At present, the market size of cardiovascular generic drugs is worth more than US $ 75 billion.
Central nervous system drugs constitute of variety of depressants and stimulants that are used for treating and curing different types of maladies like parkinson, alzheimer, depression, psychoses, epilepsy, anxiety, migraine and other neurological disorders. Stimulant pharmaceutical drugs basically increase mental and physical processes while depressants lessen the activity of the central nervous system. A number of pharmaceutical companies are engaged in manufacturing these medication. Commonly produced central nervous system generic drugs are
gabapentin, nicergoline, pyritinol, piracetam, benzhexol, trihexyphenidyl,
sodium valproate, clobazam, felbamate, etc.
Pharmaceutical companies produce this group of medicinal drugs for treating and curing cough related syndromes in a human being. These pharmaceutical drugs are basically of three types of over-the counter medications, that give relief to the cough. These cough drugs include suppressants, topical medicines and oral expectorants. The combination of these generic drugs can also give relief to several other cold symptoms like congestion, throat infection, coughs, headache and body ache. Cough medicines are often used in conjunction with a physician prescribed antibiotic viz.
cefixime, doxycycline, tetracycline,
cefoperazone, etc. to treat underlaying infections.
Often termed by pharmaceutical companies as hormonal prescription drugs, these medicines are especially produced for treating thyroid, parathyroid, enteropancreatic, pituitary tumors and other endocrine related diseases. These pharmaceutical drugs check the overproduction and underproduction of natural hormones within the human body. Corticotropin,
beclomethasone, somatropin, antithyroid, oxytocin, testosterone, terbutaline, proscarcytadren, decadron, solucortef,
hydrocortisone and cortex are some of the endocrine disorder generic drugs.
This is a class of prescription drugs that are prescribed by doctors to those who are suffering from stomach infections, nausea, vomiting, ulcers, tumors, intestinal obstruction, digestion or bowel related ailments are referred to as gastrointestinal drugs. Antacids, laxatives, opioids, antispasmodics, proton pump inhibitors, reflux suppressants, antidiarrhoeals, or bile acid sequestrants are some of the known types of gastrointestinal generic drugs produced by pharmaceutical companies. Some frequently used drugs of this type are
aluminium hydroxide, chlordiazepoxid, dicyclomine, hyoscine butyl bromide, oxyphenonium,
alginic acid valethamate, and ranitidine.
The main function of genito urinary drug is to treat and cure different type of diseases like urogenital cancers, benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Treatment of these ailments can be done by taking different types of genito urinary drugs such as doxazosin,
acetazolamide, mitoxantrone, diuretic, antiandrogens, corticosteroids, estramustine,
miconazole, antispasmodics and other urogenital generic drugs marketed by pharmaceutical companies.
Medicines or steroids that are used in the treatment of human immuno deficiency virus and acquired immuno deficiency related syndromes are often termed as HIV drugs. Currently, the HIV pharmaceutical drugs market is full of countless pharmaceutical companies and effective medications like zidovudine, lamivudine, abacavir, zalcitabine, didanosine, stavudine, delavirdine, nevirapine, indinavir, and ritonavir. These medicines prevent the virus from spreading further and assist people to live a longer and prosperous life.
Musculoskeletal system drug is a general term used for those pharmaceutical drugs and medications that are specifically produced by pharmaceutical companies for the treatment of muscle, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and skeleton related diseases. A number of diseases like arthritis, bursitis muscular dystrophy, tendinitis, rheumatic problems, and other disorders of the ankle, arm, foot, hand or knee can be treated very well with musculoskeletal system drugs like muscle relaxant, glucosamine, anti inflammatories, antigout etc. Many of these drugs such as probenecid,
chlorzoxazone, colchicine, baclofen, chlormezanone, methocarbamol, gallamine, tubocurarine, neostigmine, and
diclofenac can be bought as generic drugs.
Ophthalmic drugs are a class of medications that are essential for treating eye-related maladies. Usually available as generic drugs, these medicines are delivered inside the eye or applied under the eyelid for treating different types of infections. Pharmaceutical companies make these drugs available in form of tablets, pills, powder and liquid. Ophthalmic drugs are used to treat a wide variety of abnormal eye conditions such as allergic conditions of the eye, bacterial eye infections, conjunctivitis, eye infections, eye surgery and procedures, eye ulceration, inflammatory eye conditions, macular degeneration, viral infections. Glaucoma, cataract, herpes infections, keratitis, dry eye, retinal disorders, conjunctivitis are some common eye diseases that may be managed, treated and cured with ophthalmic drugs. Some frequently used eye drugs include
oxytetracycline, sodium cromoglycate, gentamycin, acyclovir, dexamethasone,
acetazolamide, chloramphenicol, natamycin, and more
These drugs are mainly used to relieve and ease pain. Pain relief drugs include a broad variety of generic drugs such as paracetamol, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic drugs, tricycle anti depressants, anti convulsants etc. Globally, the pain relief drugs market open to pharmaceutical companies is worth US $ 30.9 billion that is expected to reach to $ 40.6 billion in 2012. Some examples of commonly used pain relief drugs are
aspirin, fentanyl, pentazocine, tramadol, mefenamic acid, buprenorphine, ethyl morphine,
acetaminophen, etc.
Many respiratory medicines are available as generic drugs both as over-the-counter and prescription medications. These prescription drugs are consumed to treat and cure bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary or other respiratory related disorders. Expectorants, decongestants, bronchodilators, antitussives, and antihistamines are some common types of the category manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. Examples of common respiratory drugs include
beclomethasone, hydrocodone, aminophyline, budesonide, fluticasone propionate, ipratropium, salbutamol,
betamethasone, etc.
Skin medications or drugs are crucial for treating, curing and preventing skin ailments and a number of them are marketed as generic drugs. Pharmaceutical companies sell skin medicines in the form of capsules, pills, tablets, injections, or creams. Diseases that can be treated with the help of these drugs are dermatitis, eczema, warts, ulcers, dandruff, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, pimples, boils, itching, leukoderma, sores, rashes and several other skin problems. Some frequently used skin medicines are crotamiton,
lincomycin, finasteride, minoxidil, povidone iodine, azithromycin, minocycline,
tetracycline, adapalene, etc.
These consist of medicines, which are used to temporarily lower sensation or induce unconsciousness, so that painful procedures or surgery can be performed easily. Generally, there are two types of surgical drugs: one which are used to make the patient unconscious and other one type is used to numb any part of the body that would otherwise sense pain. Many generic drugs of the family are produced by pharmaceutical companies. Common examples of these drugs are
ketamine, bupivacaine, halothane, propofol, atropine sulphate,
vecuronium, midazolam, atracurium, and more. The size of surgical drug market was US $ 96 billion in the year 2006, with an annual growth rate of 7.4%.
Pharmaceutical Drugs
