ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Rating (pharmaceutical industry)

When we take medicine, we want to make sure it's safe and effective. That's where the rating system comes in! Imagine that medicine is like a toy. Just like toys, medicines have different levels of safety and effectiveness.

So when scientists make a new medicine, they test it to see how well it works and how safe it is. Just like when you try out a new toy to make sure it's good and won't hurt you.

Then, they give the medicine a rating based on how well it does in these tests. The highest rating means that the medicine is very safe and effective. This is like getting an A+ on a test!

But sometimes, a medicine may have some risks or side effects. Just like how some toys may have small parts that can be dangerous. So it might get a lower rating, like a B or C.

These ratings help doctors and pharmacists decide which medicines are the best ones to use for their patients. So just like how you trust your parents or guardians to choose safe and fun toys for you to play with, adults trust the rating system to choose safe and effective medicines for them to take.