Pharmacokinetics in Drug Development

Pharmacokinetics is the study of how drugs move through the human body, encompassing the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). According to Prof. Lucy, understanding pharmacokinetic principles is essential for determining appropriate drug dosages, dosing intervals, and ensuring medication safety across different patient populations.

As an example, she explained drug distribution by comparing first-generation and second-generation antihistamines. "First-generation antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine, are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, causing drowsiness as a side effect. In contrast, second-generation antihistamines, such as loratadine and fexofenadine, have a much lower ability to enter the brain due to the action of transporter proteins such as P-glycoprotein. As a result, their sedative effects are significantly reduced," she explained.

Prof. Lucy emphasized that pharmacokinetics plays an important role not only after drugs are administered to patients but throughout every stage of drug development. Even after a medicine has entered the market, pharmacokinetic studies continue to evaluate potential drug interactions and variations in drug response among specific patient groups.

She also highlighted the application of pharmacokinetics in pharmaceutical formulation. One example is the oral osmotic drug delivery system, in which both the amount of drug incorporated into the formulation and its release rate are calculated based on pharmacokinetic parameters, such as drug clearance.

Understanding Herb–Drug Interactions

In the field of pharmaceutical sciences, Prof. Lucy also underscored the importance of understanding interactions between conventional medicines and herbal products. "Indonesia is actively exploring natural resources with great potential for phytopharmaceutical development. However, herbal products are often consumed together with conventional medicines without considering the possibility of drug-herb interactions," she said.

She presented findings from her research investigating the co-administration of mangosteen peel extract and metformin in diabetic animal models. The study demonstrated that simultaneous administration significantly reduced the systemic exposure of metformin, potentially affecting its therapeutic efficacy. These findings suggest that herbal products are not always harmless when combined with conventional medicines without proper supervision.

Pharmacokinetics Supports Personalized Therapy

In clinical practice, pharmacokinetics forms the foundation of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), a strategy used to measure drug concentrations in the body to ensure they remain within the optimal therapeutic range.

Through research on the antibiotic meropenem conducted at a hospital in Bandung, Prof. Lucy demonstrated that patients may respond differently to the same treatment, highlighting the importance of individualized dose adjustments based on measured drug concentrations. According to Prof. Lucy, tailoring dosage regimens to each patient's characteristics can improve therapeutic outcomes while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.

Antibiotics, Gut Microbiota, and the Gut-Brain Axis

One of the most compelling sections of Prof. Lucy's oration focused on her research investigating how antibiotic use affects gastrointestinal physiology and mental health through the gut-brain axis.

Her research revealed that repeated antibiotic administration can alter intestinal transit time, gastrointestinal pH, and the composition of the gut microbiota. These physiological changes subsequently influence drug absorption. Furthermore, antibiotic-induced alterations in gut microbiota disrupt communication between the gut and the brain through the gut-brain axis. Such disruptions affect various biological mediators and are associated with the development of depression-like behavior.

Prof. Lucy related these findings to the increasing prevalence of stress among university students. "Perhaps today's students are experiencing stress not only because of academic pressure, but also because unhealthy eating habits disrupt their gut microbiota. Maybe the solution is not simply referring them to a psychiatrist, but also helping them improve their diet," she remarked.

About Prof. Dr. apt. Lucy Dewi Nurhajati Sasongko, M.Si.

Prof. Dr. apt. Lucy Dewi Nurhajati Sasongko, M.Si., was born in Bandung on 31 July 1965. She is a faculty member in the Pharmaceutical Technology Research Group at the School of Pharmacy, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB). Through her long-standing dedication to pharmacokinetics, she was appointed Professor on 1 October 2025.

Prof. Lucy completed her primary and secondary education at Taruna Bakti before enrolling in the Pharmacy undergraduate program at ITB in 1984. She graduated cum laude in 1989 and was recognized as ITB's Outstanding Student. After completing her pharmacist professional program as the top graduate, she earned her master's degree at ITB and later obtained her Ph.D. from the Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, Australia, in 2003 through the Australian Development Scholarship. Following her doctoral studies, she conducted postdoctoral research at the Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.

Before joining ITB as a faculty member, Prof. Lucy began her professional career in the pharmaceutical industry as a Registration Officer and Product Executive at PT Glaxo Indonesia, before serving as a Product Manager at PT Tempo Scan Pacific. Since 1994, she has been a lecturer at the School of Pharmacy, teaching undergraduate, professional pharmacist, master's, and doctoral students.

For her contributions to education, research, and community service, Prof. Lucy has received numerous honors, including the ITB Institutional Development Award, the Satyalancana Karya Satya from the Government of Indonesia, awards from the Indonesian Pharmacists Association, the Inspiring Lecturer Award at the Paragon Innovation Summit, and the Crowd's Favorite Lecturer Award voted by students of the ITB School of Pharmacy.

Reporter: Azka Madania Nuryasani (Mikrobiologi, 2022)