Hinkley on Clinical Research

Participating in a clinical research study is a selfless act.  Perhaps there will be personal benefit from participating in a clinical trial, but it’s not guaranteed.  Every year individuals decide to advance scientific knowledge and available medical therapies by volunteering to participate in clinical research.  By definition clinical research involves uncertainty and I can only imagine how that must feel.  It can’t be easy.  As a clinical researcher I am extremely grateful for your bravery and selflessness.  You truly are a medical hero…to me and to others. Having said that, I want to reassure you that each clinical study is based on rigorous scientific principles and many years of preclinical research have been conducted before an investigational product or treatment is ever given to an individual.  The monitoring and oversight of clinical research is substantial.  There are special groups of individuals, independent ethics boards, who are charged with protecting the rights and well-being of those of you who participate in clinical trials.   If they feel the risks outweigh the benefits, they mandate changes or refuse to allow the studies to proceed.  The research is overseen by highly trained individuals and a medical doctor will always be involved for any medical care required. There is a fundamental difference between health care and research and that must be clear to all involved.  Health care is individually focused; what care do you need to get bett...
Source: PHRMA - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news