Prilosec and Nexium both contain the same active ingredient. Nexium contains a s

Question

          Prilosec and Nexium both contain the same active ingredient. Nexium contains a single enantiomer but Prilosec is a raceimc mixture ( 50% mixture of R and S isomers). Nexium is a much more expensive drug. Which of the following might be a reason for this price differential? a. For the same effective dose it is necessary to use twice as much Nexium as compared with Prilosec. b. For the same effective does it is necessary to use twice as much Prilosec as compared with Nexium. c. The synthesis of a single enantiomer of a drug is more expensive than the synthesis of the racemic mixture. d. There is no inherent basis for the price differential; the difference is a result of marketing strategies.

Explanation / Answer

(c) Synthesis of a single enantiomer of a drug is more expensive than the synthesis of the racemic mixture.

Racemic mixture can be produced without any chiral influence( for example Chiral catalyst) unlike Single enantiomer . That can make the synthesis of a racemate cheaper and easier than making the single enantiomer, because it does not require catalyst which might add up to the cost and the special conditions for single enantiomer which might also add to the cost.

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