Dr. William Jusko, professor of pharmaceutics, hosted a Gender Week speech on Sept. 26 centered on the difference between men and women when dealing with their response to specific drugs.
According to Jusko, pharmaceutical companies test the effects of their drugs more thoroughly on men than women, meaning prescription drugs sometimes have different side effects on women than on men.
"Dr. Jusko is very well known in his studies around gender issues," said Gayle Brazeau, associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. "Traditionally, drugs have not been studied in women, and it is something that needs to be more closely studied in the future."
According to Jusko, eight out of 10 drugs that were taken off the market between 1997 and 2000 were done so because they carried a higher risk for women than men. He said this risk went undetected in the testing and approval phases because male responses to the drugs were looked at more closely.
He said it is important for medical students to realize the need to test men and women equally when researching new treatments. He also discussed studies that deal with what the human body does to specific drugs, and what the drugs do to the body.
Seldane, used for seasonal allergy relief, was the first drug to be recalled because woman reacted to it differently than men.
Jusko said that women's hearts were found to be more sensitive to drugs, including Seldane, which lengthen the interval between heartbeats.
"It is appalling that anyone would have to die from a drug that is not necessary for a person to take," he said.
According to Jusko, the old advertisement for Seldane that said "Trust your day to Seldane" should have been changed to "Trust your last day to Seldane."
Jusko said that even aspirin's effects could vary depending on gender. Due to the level of testosterone found in males, he said, aspirin tends to have a greater effect on men than on women.
Jusko told students that grants are available to researchers who deal with this specific issue.
"Continued vigilance and study of gender differences in drug disposition and response are needed," he said.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
