PRODRUG APPROACH IN NEW DRUG DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

The prodrug approach involves chemical modification of drug molecules tp alter their physicochemical properties, temporarily, aiming at incr easing their usefulness and reducing their toxic side effects. Prodrug research has undergone considerable expansion during the last few yea rs and at present, this approach is used as an integral part of basic drug design and development. The present paper discusses the prodrug c oncept and describes various prodrug-type derivatives introduced in th e world market as new chemical entities (NCEs) during 1983-1994.