Why Not Consider Participating in a Clinical Trial?

Participating in Clinical Trials allows you help provide invaluable data for investigators to determine the success or extent of the success of their drugs, cosmetics or medical devices.

What are Clinical Trials?

In health care, clinical trials are conducted to determine if a drug or device is effective. These trials use scientific method to collect information on the quality and effectiveness of the product. Investigators identify the characteristics of the patients needed for the study and a focus group is identified.

During the study, one group may be provided with the baseline product to be tested while others in the group may be provided another product, another dosage or a placebo.

Researchers then measure the effect for each participant.

Who administers the Clinical Trial?

Before starting in a clinical trial all participants are informed about the trial. This is called Informed Consent. A doctor or nurse informs participates about:

• Purpose
• Duration
• Required procedures
• Risks
• Potential benefits
• Key contacts

In the United States, federally funded trials are almost always administered by the researcher. The researcher can be a hospital, clinic, or corporation. Often a trial, at least in the later phases, may be administered by a CRO (Contract Research Organization). A CRO is a company that is contracted to perform all the administrative work on a clinical trial.

Who Can Participate in a Clinical Trial?

Anyone can apply to participate in a clinical trial. Most trials, based on the product being tested, may require specific characteristics of participants in order to be eligible for a particular study.
What Clinical Trials are going on now?

GD Consulting Services is a Clinical Services Organization (CSO) serving academia and corporate clinical trial needs. If you want more information about Clinical Trials in the Greater Philadelphia area, please contact MGD Consulting or visit www.mgdconsulting.net for more information.

Why should you consider participating in a Clinical Trial?

Not only are you able to supplement your income by participating in clinical trials, but you are may also be participating in life saving testing that can open the door to new and innovate drugs and products. No matter what your motivation, Clinical Trials are an important part of today’s ever changing technology.

Donna Roberts works and writes for MGD Services, Inc. and MGD Consulting.