This episode explores the historical shift in drug discovery from natural sources to synthetic production.
Initially, many essential medicines like Digitalis and Aspirin were derived directly from plants, highlighting the importance of botanical resources. A pivotal moment was the discovery of Penicillin, an antibiotic originating from mould, further illustrating nature's contribution.
Currently, the pharmaceutical industry primarily synthesises drugs, although these processes may still incorporate plant-derived chemical components. Aspirin serves as a consistent example, linking the past reliance on willow trees to the present-day understanding and production of pharmaceuticals.
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