Why do we need to classify drugs in different ways?


The basis on which drugs are classified in different ways is : - of drugs and the reasons for classification are as follows:

(i) On the basis of pharmacological effect:


This classification provides doctors the whole range of drugs available for the treatment of a particular type of problem. Hence, such a classification is very useful to doctors.


(ii) On the basis of drug action:


This classification is based on the action of a drug on a particular biochemical process.


(iii) On the basis of chemical structure:


This classification provides the range of drugs sharing common structural features and often having similar pharmacological activity.


(iv) On the basis of molecular targets:


This classification provides medicinal chemists the drugs having the same mechanism of action on targets. Hence, it is the most useful to medicinal chemists.


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