The need for drugs and drug delivery systems

Abstract

Disease processes and ageing require therapeutic intervention to ameliorate or eliminate, when possible, the effects of pathologies on everyday living. Ageing is associated with a gradual degeneration and subsequent alteration of the balance of the body's control systems. Drugs are useful therapeutic agents that interact with cellular targets to produce an effect that amplifies or more usually blocks cellular processes selectively, provided that dose and access are sufficient. This redresses the balance in ageing and pathology to increase patient comfort. The relationship between presentation of the drug and effect can be defined mathematically and is used to calculate the target window for administration; however, both pathological processes and ageing can alter exposure as changes occur in structure and function of the body, leading to decreased control of drug effectiveness.