Happy Accidents: Marla Ahlgrimm On Drugs No One Was Looking For

Sometimes, the greatest advance are those that we didn't know were possible, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The following are a few pharmaceutical discoveries that have changed the world. They are all related in that they were all found by complete accident.

Penicillin

If you don’t know the name Alexander Fleming, Marla Ahlgrimm says that you should. As the scientist that discovered penicillin, Fleming is directly responsible for saving countless lives throughout the years. The discovery was made in the early 1900s during the Spanish flu pandemic. A bit of dust that made its way into the petri dish, where it then molded. An eagle-eyed Fleming noticed that the area around the mold was blissfully bacteria free. The resulting antibiotic was soon being used across the globe.

Marla Ahlgrimm | Flu Remedy To Be Classified OTC

In 2018/19, the flu season took more than 61,000 lives, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This high number of fatalities was largely concentrated in geriatric and pediatric patients. However, the death toll could have been significantly higher if not for Tamiflu and other antiviral medications designed specifically to target the flu virus. And soon, Tamiflu may become an over-the-counter medication.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, Tamiflu manufacturer Sanofi recently signed an agreement with Roche Pharmaceuticals to release the drug as an over-thhundreds of thousands of individuals expe-counter medication. This measure would potentially provide access to this drug osed to the flu virus each year. People without insurance or those who cannot afford their co-pays would no longer require a trip to the doctor.to

If you are a patient, Marla Ahlgrimm says it is important to remember that this antiviral medication is not a substitute for the flu shot. The flu shot works to build your immunity, whereas the antiviral attacks the virus. It’s also important to remember that you can still get the flu and use the antiviral even if you have had a flu shot. It is more likely that you will have a milder illness after the flu shot, and the antiviral can get you through it a bit quicker.