DSI Newsletter: Drug Studies

DSI Newsletters, Issue 7:
Drug Studies

The way modern medicines become available is thru extensive drug studies to ensure they are safe and that they work. A typical drug goes thru ten years of testing before it's available on the drugstore shelves.
Safe
When you volunteer in a drug study, your safety is our first concern. In general, participants are checked more frequently and thoroughly than in regular care.
Benefits
You will receive a lot of attention to every detail. This will educate you more about your medical condition and help promote better health.
Risks
You will need more doctor visits and tests than regular care. Any potential risks or side effects will be presented to you in a straight forward manner in order to help you make a very informed decision to participate in studying tomorrow's drug treatment today. These will be outlined on the ICF (Informed Consent Form).
Assurance
Look for the telephone number of the IRB (Institutional Review Board). They are a company completely separate from the drug company whose exclusive directive is to protect your rights and welfare during an experimental drug study. They help design the study to maximize benefit and minimize potential risk and provide continuing safety reviews.
Goals
Patients who participate in clinical trials (become research subject volunteers) not only advance researchers' understanding of disease process and how to most effectively treat them, but also gain access to the most innovative, cutting edge treatments in an atmosphere that promotes good health through preventive medicine.

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