Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor: The Human Stories behind the Drugs We
Use
Publisher: Oxford University | Pages: 336 | 2006-09-07 | ISBN 0195300998
|
The stories behind drug discovery are fascinating, full of human and
scientific interest. This is a book on the history of drug discovery
that highlights the intellectual splendor of discoverers as well as the
human frailty associated them. History is replete with examples of
breakthrough medicines that have saved millions of lives. Ether as an
anesthetic by Morton; penicillin as an antibiotic by Fleming; and
insulin as an anti-diabetic by Banting are just a few examples. The
discoverers of these medicines are doubtlessly benefactors to
mankind--for instance, without penicillin, 75% of us probably would not
be alive because some of our parents or grandparents would have
succumbed to infections.
Dr. Jack Li, a medicinal chemist who is intimately involved with drug
discovery, has assembled an astounding amount of facts and information
behind important drugs through extensive literature research and
interviews with many inventors of the drugs including Viagra and
Lipitor. There have been many myths and inaccuracies associated with
those legendary drugs. The inventors perspectives afforded this book an
invaluable accuracy and insight because history is not history unless it
is true.
The text is supplemented by many anecdotes, pictures and postage stamps.
Both specialist and layman will find Laughing Gas, Viagra, and Lipitor
informative and entertaining. Students in chemistry, pharmacy, and
medicine, workers in healthcare and high school science teachers will
find this book most useful.