Diseases: Medicines

Understand that the majority of medicines are drugs that have been discovered and developed to treat or prevent a particular disease.
Know that antibiotics are a group of medicines used to treat bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing.
Bear in mind that antibiotic resistance is a significant problem in modern medicine. The overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to bacteria evolving, which makes the antibiotic less effective or entirely ineffective.
Don’t forget that the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming was a significant breakthrough in medicine. Fleming discovered that a mould (Penicillium) could kill bacteria, leading to the development of the first antibiotic.
Differentiate between analgesics and antiseptics. Analgesics are medicines that relieve pain, like ibuprofen or aspirin, while antiseptics kill or stop the growth of microorganisms to prevent infections.
Understand that the process of testing new medicines involves several stages, including preclinical testing in laboratories and clinical trials on humans.
Recognise that each medicine has risks and benefits, and it’s important to consider these when deciding on a treatment.
Understand that vaccinating a large proportion of a population can lead to herd immunity, reducing the spread of disease.
Remember to note that vaccines stimulate the immune system to defend the body against specific diseases. The active ingredient in a vaccine is a weakened or inactive version of a pathogen or part of a pathogen.
Understand that not all diseases can be treated with medicines, and some require other interventions, for example, lifestyle changes or surgery.
Know that, globally, access to effective medicines is a significant issue. Economic factors impact the discovery, development and distribution of new medicines.