Discovery and Impact of the World’s First Miracle Medicine─Sulfa Drugs

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  • サルファ剤の発見とその影響
  • 年会講演 サルファ剤の発見とその影響
  • ネンカイ コウエン サルファザイ ノ ハッケン ト ソノ エイキョウ

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Abstract

For thousands of years, humans had sought miracle medicines. In the 1930s, people were generally the same as people today. But they were almost helpless in terms of treating bacterial infection. P. Ehrlich, watching synthetic dye molecules stain bacteria specifically and selectively, started the research for antibacterial agents, “magic bullets.” Although he failed to reach the goal, the German dye company Bayer succeeded in utilizing his concept and approach. In 1932, after screening 3,000 compounds over a four-year period, they succeeded in the development of the antibacterial red-dye compound Prontosil. This medicine was welcomed by the world as a miracle drug. In 1935, after the non-patentable derivative sulfanilamide was discovered by the Pasteur Institute, it was synthesized by many companies and spread worldwide. 　However, enthusiastic overuse of a medicine can cause something to go wrong. In 1937, diethylene glycol used as a solvent of Prontosil killed 105 people in the USA due to renal toxicity (i.e., Massengill elixir tragedy). In those days, toxicity data was not necessary for medicines. After this tragedy, the USA introduced a new strict law and empowered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and many countries followed this action. Interestingly, this regulation changed the pharmaceutical industry. In order to obtain official approval for a new drug, companies require biologists, chemists and modern laboratories to obtain safety and effectiveness data. If they are unable to do this, they must change from new-drug manufacturers to over-the-counter or supplements manufacturer. 　The first strong medicine also changed the relationship between doctors and patients. Before sulfa drugs, doctors knew themselves to be powerless and were humble. But after the introduction of sulfa, they became self-confident against diseases and patients. Finally, Prontosil also reduced pessimism about medicines, dissipating the prevailing attitude that chemicals would never be able to cure most diseases. Thus, new pharmaceutical companies began utilizing the Bayer method to develop innovative drugs for treating many other diseases.

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