Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design

Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals

The term “nutraceutical” is used to describe these medicinally or nutritionally functional foods. Nutraceuticals, which have also been called medical foods, designer foods, phytochemicals, functional foods and nutritional supplements, include such everyday products as “bio” yoghurts and fortified breakfast cereals, as well as vitamins, herbal remedies and even genetically modified foods and supplements. Both can have a similar effect on the body but the long term affect is devastatingly different. The idea is that, “we can produce the same type of effect as drugs without all of the side effects”. Nutraceuticals, in contrast to pharmaceuticals, are substances, which usually have not patent protection. The straightforward application of pharmaceutical standards, especially across national borders, is likely to be a difficult challenge and could effectively paralyze the industry. We are all advocates for all natural nutrition, but due to the legal claim that only drugs can cure, prevent or mitigate. Nutraceuticals   cannot be recommended by doctors when someone is suffering from illness.