Without the aid of studies where would the medical industry be?
Many of the over-the-counter medication we use in day-to-day life would not be available. They certainly wouldn’t be as effective or as affordable. Life-saving drugs would still be in the test phases, leaving thousands (and potentially millions) without the support they need. From Alzheimers research studies to diabetes clinical trials, it’s everyday people that supply the medical industry with its signature backbone. If you’ve thought about doing a little good this year but aren’t sure where to start, learning about the benefits of the clinical trial isn’t a bad place to start.
What Is A Clinical Trial?
Simply put, a clinical trial is a mandated medical study for the purposes of research and approval. They’re used to test the effect of a drug treatment therapy or medication on adults and children, with each subsequent trial more vast and more complex than the last. Alzheimers research studies, epilepsy studies and depression studies all vary in nature, but they are linked together by the need for clinical trials.
What Are Clinical Trials Used For?
Without clinical trials we would have an even bigger problem on our hands. Every condition, no matter how minor or temporary, needs the support of clinical trials to keep the margin for error as small as possible. Alzheimers research studies, for example, deal with one of the most deadly and pervasive conditions facing older adults today. Without testing the side-effects of certain drug treatments it’s more than possible these life-saving medications could make this condition even worse.
How Does A Clinical Trial Work?
Clinical trials move through phases as they gain approval. Also known as phase 1 clinical trials, the first step is testing the drug treatment on a small group of people. This is often no more than 100 or 200. Once this passes the trial will then move on to the next step, known as the phase 2 clinical trial. This expands the amount of people trying out the treatment. The phase 3 clinical trial is the largest one yet, with the fourth also being sent out for approval by the FDA. Although many new drugs and treatment methods are sent every year, a mere one or two will be accepted out of thousands in that time frame.
What About Mental Illness?
Clinical trials are not just for physical illness. Mental illness is only continuing to become more understood as research studies are published and shared throughout the industry. While some forms of mental illness are better treated with therapy and lifestyle changes, more severe and pervasive conditions need medication to reduce symptoms and improve the individual’s quality of life. Depression and anxiety are just a few of the conditions that will only stand to benefit from the support of clinical trials.
Are Clinical Trials Safe?
Clinical trials are safe, effective means of testing the efficiency of new forms of medication. They can only be conducted through your written consent (and, in the case of children, through the consent of an adult or legal guardian). Hundreds to thousands of clinical trials are conducted each and every year to analyze the side-effects, benefits and negatives of a new form of drug treatment. The further a trial goes in the phase process, the more likely it will gradually be approved by the FDA for mass consumption. However, the only way to know this is to step up.
From donating blood to participating in a phase 1 clinical trial, the medical industry will only benefit from your help.