Do We Need Clinical Trials?
Have you ever wondered how new medicines make it to your local pharmacy? Or how doctors know which treatments work best? The answer is clinical trials. But with all the advances in science and technology, you might be asking: do we still need clinical trials? The short answer is yes, and here’s why. What Are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials are carefully designed tests for new medical treatments. They help researchers determine if a new medicine or therapy is safe and effective. Think of clinical trials as a bridge between a promising idea and actually using it to help people. What’s the Point of a Clinical Trial? Clinical trials aim to answer some key questions about a new treatment: Does it work? Does it work better (or the same as) existing treatments? Is it safe? Are there any side effects? To answer these questions, researchers follow a strict plan; however, the specifics of how each trial works depends on the treatment being tested, the phase of research, and other factors, but typically, clinical trial participants are divided into groups. One group receives the new treatment, while another might receive the current standard treatment or a placebo (an inactive substance that looks like the real treatment). Researchers then closely monitor participants in each group to understand the treatment’s effects. Why Can’t We Skip Clinical Trials? We now have powerful computers, sophisticated lab tests, and the ability to study new treatments in animals. So, why aren’t these methods enough? While these preclinical studies provide valuable information before starting trials, they can’t fully predict how a treatment will behave in humans. Our bodies can react very differently than animals or cells in a test tube. Only human testing can reveal a treatment’s real-world effectiveness, its impact on daily life, and any long-term side effects. How Do Clinical Trials Keep People Safe? Doing anything new can be overwhelming at first, including joining a clinical trial. But there are many ways researchers work to keep participants safe: Careful planning: Before a trial starts, researchers do many other tests to make it as safe as possible Close watching: During the trial, doctors keep a close eye on everyone’s health Clear information: Participants learn all about the trial before they join, including any risks The right to stop: People can leave a trial at any time if they want to Why Your Involvement Matters Diverse participants are important for clinical research — both healthy volunteers and those with specific health conditions, depending on the trial. This diversity helps ensure that new treatments are effective for everyone. By joining a trial, you contribute to potentially lifesaving discoveries. Even if a treatment does not work, the information gained helps researchers move closer to finding better solutions. Clinical trials can also provide early access to promising new treatments for individuals facing limited treatment options. This can be a valuable opportunity to receive cutting-edge care. How Can You Get Involved? We need clinical trials, and clinical trials need participants! How can you do your part? Getting more information is a great place to start. Our Resource Library includes a variety of topics related to research, and you can search based on conditions or topics you are most interested in. If you’re considering participating in a trial, talk to your doctor. They might know about trials that could be right for you. You can also search for trials using online tools, like ClinicalTrials.Gov. Even if participation isn’t right for you, you can still do your part by spreading the word. Tell your friends and family about the importance of clinical trials. You never know who could benefit from this information.
