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.