Question

What is your opinion about the“chiral switch strategy”? Should the regulations for drug approval be changed to prevent this strategy, or to encourage it? give examples in your answer

Answer 1

Chiral Switch Strategy is quite benefical as 1) Decreased potential for drug-drug interactions, 2) A longer/shorter duration of action due tobpharmacokinetic considerations resulting in more appropriate dising frequency, 3) Decreased interindividual variability in response due to polymorphic metabolism.      But prior to chiral switching,drug companies should look for evidence from well-conducted chemical trials that show chiral switch to be cost-effective and improves the outcones for patients rather than patents.    Examples:- Salmeterol was a single enantiomer drug,however currently marketed as a racemate mixture.       2) Esomeprazole is an enantiomer of the racemate omeprazole.