🤔 Today's Trivia Question:

From Pain Relief to Addiction: The Historical Introduction of Heroin by Bayer in 1898

Correct Answer: D) Heroin

In 1898, Bayer & Co. revolutionized the pharmaceutical market by introducing heroin (diamorphine) as a novel pain reliever and cough suppressant. The drug, presented in amber glass bottles with an eye-catching label, promised consumers an effective and safe remedy. While heroin offered advantages over morphine, being stronger and more affordable, it came with a higher risk of addiction. The discovery of heroin's compound traces back to 1875 by an English chemist, but it wasn't until two decades later that Felix Hoffmann, a chemist at Bayer, successfully synthesized the compound into what would be marketed as heroin. Alongside this, Hoffmann was instrumental in the development of aspirin, another medical breakthrough that remains a staple in healthcare today.

Between 1898 and 1910, diamorphine was commercially sold under the brand name Heroin, touted as a safer alternative to morphine and an effective cough suppressant. This period saw medical experts recognizing its benefits over morphine, particularly in treating the persistent cough associated with tuberculosis, as noted in the 1910 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Despite its initially perceived advantages, the addictive potential of heroin soon became evident.

In response to growing concerns over addiction and misuse, the United States implemented the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act in 1914, regulating the distribution and prescription of diamorphine and other opioids. A decade later, in 1924, further measures were taken as Congress prohibited the sale, importation, and manufacture of the drug within the country. Heroin was classified as a Schedule I substance, indicating its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use, aligning with the stipulations of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs treaty.