New treatments for a wide range of medical conditions are being developed all the time, and ordinary people from all walks of life are helping make that happen.
Whenever a new medicine is developed, the manufacturer is required by regulation to test a number of things before it can be made available on prescription, including whether it’s safe to use. Early clinical trials help medical researchers determine the investigational medicine’s safety and any potential side-effects. These studies are typically conducted on healthy volunteers. In addition, healthy volunteer studies help determine other important information such as whether or not to take a medicine with food.
How to Determine Suitability
Clinical trial volunteers fill a vital need by participating. There’s a high demand for volunteers, and almost anybody can apply to take part in a clinical trial. Applicants don’t even have to be non-smokers, although some trials will require them to give up smoking for the duration of the clinical trial. The one qualification that’s absolutely essential for the job is good health, so all volunteers have to pass a medical examination called a screening visit before they’re accepted as a study volunteer. Volunteers are also paid for the time they commit. The amount paid is in direct proportion to the length of the trial – payment normally ranges from ?500 to ?3000 and volunteers typically receive up to ?100 in additioinal travel expenses.
How Long A Clinical Trial Lasts
Every clinical trial is different so the duration varies greatly from one study to the next. A clinical trial can last anywhere from one to 30 days, and depending on the drug being tested, volunteers might have to come from a particular social group or might be a wide-ranging mix of people. Volunteers can only participate in one trial at a time and once they’ve completed a trial, they must allow a clear period of three months before being eligible to participate in another.
Why You Should Get Involved
The biggest benefit of being a volunteer is doing a job that makes such a huge difference to so many people’s lives. The role volunteers play enables medical researchers to offer new medicines which may prevent or treat illnesses or improve the lives of people with chronic conditions.
For many people the recompense is an incentive; however, people who take part in medical trials also benefit from a comprehensive medical examination. This establishes their suitability for participation. Although the needs of different clinical trials vary considerably, in general the target age group ranges between 18 and 55, with both sexes represented. Some trials even call for older volunteers. Once you are examined and considered eligible to participate, you will be given further details about your trial.
Clinical trials are a great way to earn a little extra cash whilst also doing something positive to advance medical science. You will be involved in the testing of investigational medicines prior to them being licensed and made available on prescription. As well as the financial rewards, you can feel pleased knowing you have helped in finding a treatment for a specific illness or complaint.
About Author : Nick Davison, Nick writes on a number of topics including Health, Psychology, and Medical Development.
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