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?