Tag: Drug specificity

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a significant concern, with over 2 million reported in 2023, many resulting from a drug interacting with unintended targets [1.11.3]. This highlights the critical importance of understanding **how drug specificity is defined** in modern medicine.

In 2022, over 1.25 million serious adverse drug events were reported to the U.S. FDA, with nearly 175,000 deaths [1.9.4]. Understanding **what is specificity in pharmacy** is key to minimizing these risks, as it describes a drug's ability to act on a precise target and avoid unintended effects [1.2.2, 1.4.1].

In pharmacology, it is a fact that very few drugs, if any, produce only a single effect in the body [1.2.1]. This reality underscores the importance of understanding **what is the specificity of a drug**, a key principle that governs its therapeutic action and safety profile.

Approximately 90% of drugs that enter clinical trials fail, with many failing due to toxicity issues, highlighting the importance of understanding drug characteristics [1.2.3]. So, what is the difference between sensitivity and specificity of a drug and how do they impact safety and efficacy?