Repsol YPF

We must first bear in mind that all medicines are organic substances. This means that they are essentially composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. Then there are traces of other elements such as sulphur, phosphorus, etc. There are other components such as metals, including heavy metals, but these are rarely used in medicines. Although this composition may cause alarm, there is nothing wrong with it, we are made of these elements and as it happens, so is oil. 

A characteristic of organic compounds is that they are like Meccano or Tente, small pieces can be joined together to make bigger things as part of a process called organic synthesis. Using this characteristic, chemical companies in general, and pharmaceutical companies in particular, put small pieces together in order to produce the final molecule. 

Why oil?

These small pieces have many origins, but since oil is plentiful and must be refined several times in order to create the end product, many of the pieces used come from this industry. It must not be forgotten that oil is the fossil of living organisms from long ago, consequently as mentioned above, it is very rich in substances which form part of any living creature, which excluding unexpected visits from beyond obviously includes us all.  

Despite the initial prejudice that it may cause in some people, it must be remembered that once they are in their final form they have no memory of how toxic they were originally. An organic molecule is not the sum of its parts (despite what people may think) as such the end product is something new with different priorities. This is why there is no risk whatsoever because it is simply not oil anymore. Living creatures do it constantly. They eat certain substances, and transform them into others. As such these substances can be recycled and through chemical transformation they can be used in almost any aspect of our lives, including drugs.

Which medicines contain it?

Firstly, a medicine as common as aspirin. However, the list is never-ending, since medicines are usually highly complex products which include these derivatives to a greater or lesser extent. 

What has often happened in recent decades is that a medicine –which initially originated from processing certain plants, fungi and animals- ended up being synthesised artificially due to the fact that these were in short supply and difficult to obtain. This makes it possible to obtain the same result as a drug but enables mass production, in other words, making it available to everyone and not just the few fortunate people who could pay for it 

One example is cortisone, which is used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Until half a century ago it was obtained from animals’ adrenal glands at a very high cost, of more than 100 euros per  gramme, until it was produced in a laboratory experiment and subsequently in factories. Other well-known products such as penicillin and chloroform are also included on the list, as well as oxo-alcohols such as Isodecanol, Isononanol and Isotridecanol. Words which rarely form part of everyday conversation but which refer to compounds that any of us have taken at some point when we are ill. 

Related articles:

- The many faces of oil 

- Chemistry benefits your life