What is the aim of a drug's therapeutic index?

The aim of a drug's therapeutic index is to indicate the ratio between toxic and therapeutic doses. This measure is crucial in pharmacology and regulatory affairs as it helps to assess the safety of a drug. The therapeutic index provides valuable insight into the margin of safety for a medication; a higher therapeutic index indicates that there is a larger difference between the effective dose and the dose that could cause toxic effects. This information is essential for healthcare providers when prescribing drugs, as it informs decisions on dosing and helps to minimize the risk of adverse effects. Understanding the therapeutic index also plays a significant role in drug development and regulatory evaluation, as it directly relates to assessing the risk-benefit ratio of a treatment.