Posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 16:59:10
In reply to Re: Kramer- Question on Mode of Action - Provigil » IsoM, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 14:13:32
But it's a copletely different business, John. There's stuff my son programs that pretty secretive too, as who wants the competition writing code for the same idea or in the same way?
But microchips & programs don't affect people's health. If you get sick while using a program, no one's going to want to know what its code is. But if a person with an genetic illness suddenly takes a turn for the worse just after they've been prescribed something new, how the med works is a pretty good thing to know.
Provigil is patented for a while so there's no worry someone will make the same thing. But there's definitely going to be interest in making similar medication. If Provigil doesn't bind to any particular neurotransmitter, it's kind of hard to hypothesise on how it works, but they'll still want to know.
If you ever get looking through the thick manuals on medications like the CPS we have in Canada (don't know if it's in the States too), you'll find an explanation for the medications mechanism of action. Generally, there's something on pharmakintetics & pharmadynamics for most medications except the old ones that have been around for a long time. It's no trade secret how meds work & is found in many texts.
One way that I know of on how meds are made is:
the key part of the molecule that fits into a receptor site (it mimics the original natural brain chemical) is tailor made to fit the receptor. Then it gets tested to see if it works in vitro & goes on from there. All the competition has to do is to make another molecule that will fit like the medication that works. Much, much more difficult than it sounds though & can take many years.
poster:IsoM
thread:101413
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020402/msgs/101523.html