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How Many Times Per Week Do You Take Pills Or Vitamins?

Medical research studies alabama

How often do you think about the painkillers you take for a sore neck or the medication you rely on to soothe an asthmatic episode? We’ve all become accustomed to the benefits medical technology has on our everyday lives, to the point many forget the medical research studies that made it possible. Without a clinical study to properly test and evaluate the effects medication has on a varied and unique population there would be even more accidents and failures. Clinical drug development is the key to making sure we can all live a healthy and supportive life, no matter what.

What is the function of a clinical study? First and foremost it’s necessary to test a product in a safe and controlled environment to ensure it’s fit for its purpose. Each trial, also known as phase, needs to be followed closely. Medical standards change on a yearly basis and safety is always the most important factor to keep in mind for doctors, nurses and pharmacists. This is where terms like ‘informed consent’ come into play.

Informed consent is such an important aspect of the clinical study that the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Code recently gave it its very own section. For researchers that need to use children in a clinical study (as is defined by anyone under the age of 18), they are legally required to obtain the parent or guardian’s consent before proceeding. Failure to comply with these rules mean the clinical study will be unable to proceed.

The first trial, also known as Phase 1, requires that researchers test their experimental drug or treatment in a very small group of people. These are no smaller than 20 and no larger than 80, allowing the scientists to evaluate the safety and side-effects for the first time. Once the Phase 1 clinical trial has been completed they can move onto the second.

The second trial, also known as Phase 2 or Phase II, the drug or treatment will be given to a steadily larger group. These range from 100 to 300, depending, and the process is very much the same. According to a recent survey about clinical trials in the United States, over 90% of respondents said they have never participated in a clinical trial. Many researchers hope to spread awareness about the clinical study and the benefits it has on society on the whole.

The third trial is where the drug or treatment is administered to the largest groups of people, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 and anywhere in-between. The studies have also expanded to explore not just side-effects, but compare it with equivalent treatments and how effective it is in the long-term. Once this is finished the last trial, or phase, can finally begin.

The last clinical trial sees the team submitting what’s known as a New Drug Application (or an NDA) for approval by the FDA. Of the nearly 10,000 drugs that enter every year, only 250 will make it to pre-clinical trial testing and only five to clinical trial testing. It’s estimated only one or two will actually reach FDA approval every year. Back in 1999 a clinical trial generally lasted 460 days. Compare this to 2005, where a clinical trial averaged nearly 800.

Without a careful and attentive clinical study many drugs and treatments would never make it to market to help people live their best life. The benefits of clinical drug development can be felt by adults and children alike. Will you offer your help this year?

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What You Need to Know About Clinical Drug Development

Phase 1 clinical trial alabama

Science, medicine, and technology have advanced considerable amounts over the recent years, and at the rate we are going, it seems that we could be on a pretty promising track for discovering all the cures we need, developing every device for communication and transportation that we could ever desire, and understanding the world around us and the universe like our species never has before. When you step back to look at the big picture of things, it really is quite amusing and intriguing that we are, by this point, basically catching up with some of the science fiction favorites.

We carry miniature computers in our pockets, constantly connected or at least in possession of the capability to access contact with anyone or any piece of information. We now live in a time in which personal drones are used to take vacation selfies and videos. There are devices that will not permit the ignition of a car?s engine if the driver is intoxicated. There seems to be no end to the impressive wonders that the brilliant human mind can develop. This applies to medicine as well. With numerous clinical drug development studies and trials every year, we just might be closer to all those cures than we think.

Medical research studies and clinical drug development

Yes, the progress in medical fields have been impressive, especially when you consider some of the treatments and remedies that were used in olden times, and were often the exact opposite of what you might have needed. However that does not mean that it is an easy process. The development and understanding of medicine is often a long, very complex road. A clinical study and trials are necessary to try out new medicines, and this process of clinical drug development can take quite a bit of time.

The phases of clinical drug development

There are four basic phases of a clinical trial. Phase 1 clinical trials are about testing the new treatment or experimental drug on a small group of individuals. This group usually ranges from 20 to 80 people. During this first test, experts examine the safety of the drug and attempt to pinpoint any side effects. Phase 2 takes the drug or treatment to a slightly larger group of people, often around 100 to 300 individuals.

The medical professionals continue to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, as they do in Phase 3, when it is administered to around 1,000 to 3,000 people. At this point, experts can start to compare it with similar treatments or the standards that already exist. Phase 4 will include the trial team submitting a New Drug Application that will hopefully make it through to Research and Development, and eventually to approval by the FDA.

About 46% of people believe that participating in a clinical trial is just as valuable and important to health care and medical fields as donating blood is. If you can be a part of the crucial process of helping professionals understand and fine tune medicine and its effects, wouldn?t you want to make a difference?