The Standardization of Drugs Amid Changing Standards

The progress of scientific investigation that leads to new discoveries or to the more rational application of knowledge already available often opens a pathway to useful therapeutic endeavor. As a consequence, the conscientious practitioner is frequently impelled to be alert to the novel contributions that may be applied in his professional work. An imperative sense of duty, not infrequently coupled with an inspiring enthusiasm for the promise of betterment, urges him to keep in touch with the items of progress and to put them to use wherever they are likely to do good. Along with this arises the less commonly recognized necessity of protecting not only the patient but also the well intentioned practitioner from deception and unwarranted exploitation.