Which compounds are manufactured for use as medicinal drugs?

Pharmaceuticals are specifically designed and manufactured for use as medicinal drugs, targeting the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or alleviation of diseases and conditions in humans or animals. They undergo rigorous testing and regulation to ensure their efficacy and safety for therapeutic use. This process includes clinical trials and oversight from health authorities, leading to an extensive body of knowledge regarding their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

In contrast, while biologics also play an important role in therapeutic applications, they encompass a broader category that includes vaccines, blood products, and gene therapies, which may not strictly be categorized solely as "medicinal drugs." Vitamins and supplements, on the other hand, are often used for general health maintenance or nutritional support rather than as primary therapeutic agents. They typically lack the regulatory scrutiny that pharmaceuticals undergo and are not primarily manufactured to treat diseases. Therefore, pharmaceuticals distinctly represent the category of compounds that are manufactured specifically as medicinal drugs.