| If you are strapped for cash and looking for a little | | | | took the actual drugs. |
| part time work to take the pressure off, then why | | | | Medical Trials - There are four common phases of |
| not try out one of the many paid medical trials that | | | | medical trials: |
| are offered by a professional Drug Research Unit. Let | | | | Phase 1 includes a small group, and looks into the |
| us look at some of the different types of medical | | | | safety of the trial treatment and what side effects |
| trials that are currently available: | | | | may occur. These can be tested with single doses or |
| ECG Trials - | | | | multiple doses. |
| Clinical ECG (Electrocardiograph) trials, utilise | | | | Phase 2 is conducted on much larger groups of |
| electrocardiograph machine that measures the | | | | people than in Phase 1. Phase 2 measures both the |
| electrical activity taking place from the heart and | | | | efficacy of the treatment as well as the required |
| represent it on the electrocardiogram, which charts | | | | dosage for the drugs. |
| these activities graphically. The electrocardiograph is | | | | Phase 3 tests the new treatment against existing |
| used to identify, screen and / or monitor | | | | conventional treatments. It looks at other contextual |
| cardiovascular diseases. ECG trials include are | | | | factors surrounding the treatment relating to quality |
| non-invasive, as they mostly require the volunteers | | | | of life including an in depth study of the side effects, |
| to sleep for the duration of the trial or conduct a | | | | visits to clinics or hospital and so on. |
| relaxing activity (i.e. watching TV). | | | | Phase 4 looks at existing treatments and drugs after |
| Drug Testing - | | | | they have been launched, monitoring and supporting |
| This usually involves testing new drugs before they | | | | the effects of these. |
| are introduced to the market. The testing process | | | | A clinical trial helps medical professionals test certain |
| may include testing to determine either a products | | | | assumptions, and ensure a drug or treatment is most |
| safety or how effective it is in achieving a specific | | | | effective with the least negative side effects. All |
| treatment. Drug testing can take place of both the | | | | clinical tests are strategically designed to be as safe |
| long and short terms - in a part time capacity - | | | | as possible for the test subjects. Clinical trials allow |
| depending on the nature of the drug and treatment. | | | | these subjects to play an active role in their own |
| During the testing process, placebos are often used | | | | health care, at the same time assisting in getting the |
| in combination with the actual drug - to ensure the | | | | best out of new treatments and medicine. |
| desired effect was achieved with the patients who | | | | |