PCB Pharmacist Registration key terms

The proportion of an administered drug dose that enters the systemic circulation unchanged and is therefore available to produce a pharmacological effect. It is a key pharmacokinetic parameter used to compare formulations.

The absence of a significant difference in the rate and extent to which the active ingredient in two pharmaceutically equivalent products becomes available at the site of drug action. It is established through comparative bioavailability studies.

The metabolic breakdown of a drug in the liver or gut wall during its initial passage after oral administration, before it reaches the systemic circulation. It reduces oral bioavailability and may necessitate higher oral doses.

A formulation designed to release a drug slowly over an extended period after administration, maintaining therapeutic plasma concentrations and reducing dosing frequency. It often uses matrix or reservoir systems to control dissolution.

An inactive substance included in a pharmaceutical formulation to serve functions such as diluent, binder, disintegrant, lubricant, preservative, or flavoring. Excipients aid manufacture, stability, or patient acceptability but are not intended to exert therapeutic action.

A pharmacologically inactive compound that is converted in the body, usually by enzymatic or chemical reactions, into an active drug. Prodrugs are designed to improve absorption, distribution, or targeting of the active moiety.

The relationship between the chemical structure of a molecule and its biological activity. Medicinal chemists use SAR studies to identify which structural features enhance or reduce potency, selectivity, and safety.

The specific arrangement of chemical features in a molecule that is responsible for its biological activity. It represents the essential structural requirements for binding to a target and is used in drug design.

A prototype chemical compound that shows promising biological activity and serves as the starting point for further structural optimization in drug discovery. It is refined to improve potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic properties.

A drug or endogenous molecule that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a biological response. Agonists mimic the action of the natural ligand and can be full or partial depending on their efficacy.

A drug that binds to a receptor without activating it, thereby blocking or reducing the effect of an agonist. Antagonists may be competitive or non-competitive and are used to inhibit physiological or pathological responses.

The ratio of the dose that produces a toxic effect to the dose that produces a therapeutic effect, often expressed as TD50/ED50. A narrow therapeutic index indicates a small margin between efficacy and toxicity, requiring careful dosing and monitoring.

An unintended and harmful response to a drug that occurs at doses normally used for prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy. ADRs are classified by type (e.g., A, B) and are a major focus of pharmacovigilance.

The science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems. It supports post-marketing safety monitoring and regulatory decision-making.

A naturally occurring nitrogen-containing organic compound, usually basic, found in plants and some fungi. Many alkaloids have potent pharmacological effects and are used as medicines, such as morphine and quinine.

A compound consisting of a sugar (glycone) linked to a non-sugar moiety (aglycone) through a glycosidic bond. Glycosides are widely distributed in plants and include cardiac glycosides such as digoxin.

A natural product of plant, animal, or mineral origin that has not been processed beyond simple collection and drying. Crude drugs are the raw materials for herbal medicines and are subjected to pharmacognostic evaluation for identity and quality.

The branch of pharmacy that deals with medicinal substances of natural origin, including their identification, cultivation, collection, preparation, and standardization. It encompasses the study of crude drugs and their active constituents.

A written or electronic order from a licensed prescriber for the preparation and administration of a drug or treatment. It includes patient details, drug name, dosage form, strength, directions, and prescriber signature.

The process of preparing and supplying a medicine to a patient according to a prescription or an over-the-counter request. It includes checking the prescription, preparing the product, labeling, and providing instructions.

Any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm while the medication is in the control of the healthcare professional, patient, or consumer. It includes prescribing, dispensing, and administration errors.

The clinical practice of measuring specific drug concentrations in blood or plasma to individualize dosage and maintain concentrations within a therapeutic range. It is particularly useful for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices.

The application of pharmacokinetic principles to the safe and effective management of drug therapy in individual patients. It involves assessing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion to design dosage regimens.

A substance produced by or derived from a microorganism that inhibits or kills other microorganisms. In common clinical usage, the term includes synthetic antimicrobials used to treat bacterial infections.

The ability of microorganisms to withstand the effects of antimicrobial drugs that were once effective against them. AMR is a global health threat driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use and genetic mutations.

The complete destruction or removal of all viable microorganisms, including bacterial spores, from an object or preparation. Common methods include autoclaving, dry heat, filtration, and radiation.

The process by which a person becomes protected against a disease, typically through vaccination that stimulates an adaptive immune response. It may be active (vaccine-induced) or passive (antibody transfer).

A biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and combat a pathogen. Vaccines contain antigens in various forms, such as live attenuated, inactivated, or subunit components.

A biological catalyst, usually a protein, that accelerates chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed. Enzymes are highly specific and play essential roles in metabolism and drug biotransformation.

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within physiological limits despite external changes. It involves regulatory mechanisms such as negative feedback and is essential for normal body function.

A pharmaceutical product that is equivalent to a brand-name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route, quality, and performance characteristics. It is marketed after patent expiry and typically at lower cost.

A set of regulations and guidelines ensuring that pharmaceutical products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. GMP covers premises, equipment, personnel, documentation, and quality control.

A national agency responsible for regulating medicines, including marketing authorization, licensing, inspection, and post-marketing surveillance. In Bangladesh, the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) performs this role.

The voluntary agreement of a patient or research participant to undergo a medical intervention or take part in a study after receiving and understanding relevant information about risks, benefits, and alternatives. It is a fundamental ethical and legal requirement.

A spontaneous reporting scheme used in pharmacovigilance for healthcare professionals and patients to report suspected adverse drug reactions to a regulatory authority. It helps identify new safety signals after marketing.