The most groundbreaking drugs
The 20th century marked a transformative era in medicine, with groundbreaking discoveries that reshaped healthcare and saved countless lives. From antibiotics that revolutionised the fight against infections to life-saving treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes and the contraceptive pill, which empowered millions of women with control over their bodies, these medications have altered the course of human history.
Penicillin
Penicillin was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming (British, August 6, 1881-March 11, 1955). The story behind it is almost legendary. Fleming was working in his laboratory researching bacterial cultures when one day he noticed that one of his petri dishes had been accidentally left open and was infected by a mold. But instead of simply throwing the dish away, he noticed that no bacteria were growing near the mold. The mold, later identified as Penicillium notatum, released a substance that killed bacteria. Thus the first antibiotic was discovered, which was later used on a large scale to treat bacterial infections, especially during World War II. In 1945 he received the Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Insulin
Frederick Banting (Canada, November 14, 1895 - February 21, 1941) and Charles Best (USA, February 27, 1899 - March 31, 1978 Canada) discovered insulin in 1921. The story of their discovery is a mixture of persistence and coincidence. Diabetes, especially type 1, was a fatal disease at the time. Banting had the idea that the pancreas produces a hormone that regulates sugar levels. After many experiments, he isolated this hormone, which they later called "insulin", from the pancreases of dogs. This discovery enabled diabetics to survive for the first time by taking the hormone as a medication. The first patient, a 14-year-old boy named Leonard Thompson, received insulin in 1922 and survived - a medical breakthrough (he died at the age of 27 as a result of a traffic accident). In 1923, Banting was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine as the youngest person in this category to do so.
Birth control pill
The development of the birth control pill was the result of the efforts of Gregory Pincus (USA, April 9, 1903 - August 22, 1967) and various other scientists with whom he worked.
He had support from Margaret Sanger (President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America - influenced by her mother's 18 pregnancies (in 22 years!) and her early death at the age of 49) and Katharine McCormick (philanthropist & women's rights activist - she smuggled more than 1,000 diaphragms from Europe to the USA).
Pincus and his team developed the first pill based on hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) in the 1950s. These hormonal contraceptives suppress ovulation, which prevents pregnancy. The pill was approved in 1960 and revolutionised the lives of many women by giving them more control over their bodies.
However, while medications play a crucial role in healthcare, it's important to recognize that they may not always be the sole answer to every physical issue. Responsible use is key.
Always consult with your doctor to ensure the best course of action for your health needs.