Every drug that comes to market, from something that treats your cough to the sophisticated immune-boosters given to HIV patients has to be tested for its effectiveness and its safety before it’s made available to the general population. This is where drug trials come in.
How does it Work?
Criteria vary from trial to trial. Let’s take a trial that’s testing for Cardio safety ?the effects on the heart ?of a non-cardio drug. The trial would likely use completely healthy participants who will stay in hospital for a given period of time and undergo strict monitoring while the drug is administered at the recommended intervals.
A trial testing the benefits of a new chemotherapy would require participants who are cancer patients. This trial would also be conducted on an in-patient basis.
A trial testing medication for a sore throat ?yes, even these trials exist ?may be conducted on an out-patient basis, possibly through a General Physician.
Who Can Participate?
Both completely healthy and those with pre-existing conditions can participate in paid medical trials. Those who apply to participate are required to have a full health screen before being accepted. informed consent? is also required. All participants must be made fully aware of the protocol and what the trial is testing for by one of the participating doctors. By signing the consent form you are stating that you are fully aware of the commitment you are making.
What Are the Advantages?
You get a full health screening before being accepted as a volunteer. This is always a useful procedure to undertake. If you have a pre-existing condition and are participating in a trial that tests drugs for your condition, you will receive much better monitoring than if you were in a standard hospital situation. Also, the drug that’s being tested may improve your condition.
What Are the Disadvantages?
You never know what the outcome will be. The medication may have a negative impact on your condition, or if you may receive a placebo, in which case, feel no effects at all. You may experience unpleasant side-effects.
Is It Safe?
All clinical trials in the U.K. are conducted in accordance with European legislation and have to be approved by two bodies: Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and The Research Ethics Committee. Large drug companies like GSK invest a lot of money in the research and development of new drugs. In some cases the cost is in the hundreds of millions. Much of this is spent on trialling the drug and a botched trial will only add to the expense. This is why trials are conducted according to a strict protocol and with patient safety in mind.
So, although it may not be something that immediately springs to mind and certainly may not be for everyone, volunteering for participation in a medical trial and medical research studies can be an excellent way to help to supplement your income while working , pay educational costs, or even fund your travels while spending time in foreign countries.
Guest Post contributed by Sally Shaws.