Conclusion
Chirality and drugs

The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of enantiomerism and geometric isomerism in the field of drugs.

Consequently, when an application is submitted for the marketing of an asymmetrical drug or a geometric isomer, the pharmaceutical dossier must include all physico-chemical studies guaranteeing the quality of the active ingredient, from manufacture and packaging through to the expiration date.

Given that two enantiomers or two geometric isomers can have different biological properties, it seems obvious that, before any new drug is launched on the market, the enantiomers or geometric isomers should be separated and their pharmacological, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties studied. Such an approach would avoid the potential risks of toxicity, serious adverse effects and drug interactions resulting from the presence...