The drugs we use today are often a far cry from the original medicines prescribed by our doctors. The modern drug is purified, standardized, and manufactured in a controlled environment. This means that what shows up on your drug test today may not be the same as what you’d take 50 years ago.
This article will shine some light on the background of diagnostic drug testing and how it has changed over time to become more accurate and efficient at detecting abnormalities in any individual’s systems, so they can get better quicker and avoid the pain of misdiagnosis that many people experience before getting their diagnosis with diagnostic drug testing.
What is the history of diagnostic drug testing?
The history of diagnostic drug testing starts with early medicine. Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and other civilizations all studied their own systems and attempted to use plants and herbs to heal various illnesses. It wasn’t until the 10th century that physicians began using diagnostic drugs for pharmaceutical purposes by combining these plants and herbs into medicines that could be quickly administered in a hospital setting without causing too many adverse side effects. But even then, it was difficult to keep track of how effective the medications were on their patients, so less than optimal treatments were prescribed much of the time.
Did the 1980s change diagnostic drug testing?
In 1980, the U.S. government began to pay attention to diagnosing and curing endocrine disorders like diabetes (1). This was a huge step forward in the world of diagnostic drug testing because it showed that there was a real need for quick and accurate diagnostics. In fact, many credit this effort as being one of the major causes behind today’s advances in pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine.
Are there any continuing improvements in diagnostic drug testing?
There are definitely continuing improvements in diagnostic drug testing. One of the biggest challenges that many people face is keeping pace with new medications and new advances in pharmacology. This is where diagnostic devices like our Clinitek tests can help out. Our Clinitek tests are easy to use and provide accurate results that a professional can easily incorporate into their practice to get the best results for their patients.
What was the 1990s like for diagnostic drug testing?
The 1990s were a time of ongoing research in diagnostic drugs, but most of the advancements came in the form of blood tests. During this decade, direct-to-patient diagnostics became more and more common with blood tests like those for diabetes helping to prevent misdiagnoses before they occurred. Soon after, these advances in blood testing were coupled with more advanced pharmacological research that continues today.
What are the current challenges involved in diagnosis?
The biggest challenges are a lack of funding and manpower available to new pharmaceutical research projects to improve upon current knowledge. There is also a shortage of trained physicians available to continue to test the medications they have been using on their patients and assess the effectiveness of the newer drugs.
What is a Clinitek test?
A Clinitek test is an advanced drug testing device that can help professionals, employers, and payers quickly find all abnormal substances in urine with the same accuracy as traditional drug testing equipment. It does so by taking advantage of its advanced technology, which takes into consideration factors like pH and protein levels in addition to gender and race information.
