Frequently asked questions about clinical trials

For those curious about participating in a clinical trial, you’ve probably got a lot of questions. These are just a couple:

Are trials safe?

The trials need approval from independent bodies before they can take place. One such organization is the Research Ethics Committee. This means that you can be sure that the study is safe and has been designed with the safety of volunteers at the fore front. REC examines important issues such as health, ethics and safety before the start of any trials with volunteers. For information about Adaptive Phase 1 Clinical Studies, visit a site like Richmond Pharmacology, leaders in Adaptive Phase 1 Clinical Studies.

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Healthy volunteers are used for testing only when a doctor has decided that the study is safe for them to participate in. However, there are some cases with new drugs where not all potential side effects can be seen. It is for this reason that the volunteers are provided with information and consent forms prior to the commencement of the trial. It provides all the information you need to know and allows you to make an informed decision about whether you want to continue and possible side effects.

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What about side effects?

Some people experience side effects if they participate in a test or simply use over the counter drugs. Some cold and flu medications make people feel sleepy, for example. Side effects are usually mild and go away quickly with no harm done. To suffer serious side effects is very rare and drugs given to volunteers in trials are at a much lower dose than were deemed safe in animals.