Similarly, in the drug development steps, especially in the pre-formulation
and formulation studies, the structures and the physical properties, e.g.
solubility and pH, of the drug molecules are exploited. Chemistry, particularly
physical properties of drugs, is also important to determine storage
conditions. Drugs having an ester functionality, e.g. aspirin, could be quite
unstable in the presence of moisture, and should be kept in a dry and cool
place. The chemistry of drug molecules dictates the choice of the appropriate
route of administration. When administered, the action of a drug inside
our body depends on its binding to the appropriate receptor, and its
subsequent metabolic processes, all of which involve complex enzymedriven
biochemical reactions