Final answer:
The process of getting a drug approved for human use after its discovery or synthesis involves chemical development, testing, and large-scale experiments using human subjects to ensure safety and effectiveness. The US FDA plays a crucial role in drug approval and the process takes several years with the involvement of physicians, scientists, and chemists.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the initial discovery or synthesis of a drug, the chemist develops the drug, perhaps by chemically altering it, testing to see if it is toxic, and designing methods for large-scale production. Next, the process of getting the drug approved for human use begins. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) handles drug approval. This involves a series of large-scale experiments using human subjects to ensure the drug is not harmful and effectively treats the condition for which it is intended. This process often takes several years and requires the participation of physicians and scientists, in addition to chemists, to complete testing and gain approval.