title: The major impacts of James Black's drug discoveries on medicine and pharmacology.
abstract: James Black has many claims to pharmacological fame as the creator of two new classes of drugs (beta-blockers and H2 antihistamines) and as a tireless innovator in drug discovery strategies and analytical procedures. The latter attributes in particular assisted Black in the invention of the prototypes for the two major classes of drugs for which he is best known, propranolol and cimetidine. The clinical impact of these drugs on both morbidity and mortality has been profound. In addition, the application of his analytical approach to drug discovery and pharmacology led others in the field to create many other new classes of drugs. Shortly before he died in 2010, Black wrote a retrospective review of his research career that provides insight into his innovative thinking and career success. This overview affords readers a very personal picture of the man, his ideas and his contributions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada. rsdaa@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Michael J A
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000266:history* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000266:history* / Q000494:pharmacology; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D011433:Propranolol / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology; D012106:Research / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D002927:Cimetidine; D011433:Propranolol