What percentage of prescription drugs are derived from plants or their derivatives?

The correct answer, which is 25, reflects the significant role that plants or their derivatives play in the development of prescription medications. Approximately 25% of all prescription drugs are derived from natural plant sources. This includes a variety of compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes, which are extracted and modified for therapeutic use.

The reliance on plants for medicinal properties demonstrates their importance in pharmacology and underscores the need for sustainable practices in harvesting and using these resources. Many effective drugs are based on phytochemicals, highlighting both the historical and ongoing significance of natural products in modern medicine.

In contrast, while some of the other options posit higher percentages, they do not accurately reflect the current understanding of the contributions of plant-derived compounds to the pharmaceutical market. Thus, the 25% figure encapsulates a realistic appreciation of the impact that botanical substances have in drug development.