| Economic recession is "a period of reduced economic | | | | have tested about a dozen of new treatments or |
| activity". Speculations of a possible recession had | | | | placebo. |
| been raised as early as in 2007. That economic | | | | The number of visits and hours allocated, as well as |
| recession has now been confirmed by experts in | | | | the pay per visit varies considerably between |
| many countries. For example, countries such as the | | | | different trials and depend largely on the stage of |
| United States has been in recession since December | | | | the product development and the type of trial the |
| 2007. Many other countries are also in economic | | | | volunteers are enrolled in. Therefore, participant may |
| recession or slowdown, including the United Kingdom, | | | | be paid between 50$ to 500$ for each session and |
| Japan and even China. Because of that economic | | | | each trial can last a few days to several months. |
| turndown, many people have lost their jobs or seen | | | | Each trial may include several consecutive visit days |
| their savings tumble down and it is now difficult to | | | | at the center and volunteers can also be asked to |
| get loans. | | | | keep a diary between the visits, to assess any |
| Finding money is becoming more and more | | | | improvements or side effects due to the new |
| challenging. However, some people hare using hidden | | | | medication. Volunteers are expected to be compliant |
| resources to generate income. | | | | to allow accuracy of the data, especially about |
| Once mainly popular amongst students as an "easy | | | | safety and efficacy. These data are particularly |
| and fast" way to make money, clinical trials are now | | | | important to decide what are the next steps to be |
| becoming part of many everyday people's lifestyle. | | | | taken regarding the investigational drug, and if the |
| Clinical research involves volunteers to testing new | | | | product can safely be used on sick or younger |
| drugs. By doing so, they allow the gathering of data | | | | patients. |
| important to determine the safety and efficiency of | | | | This said, there is always safety concerns, especially |
| the new drug, and its potential release on the | | | | at early stage of drug development, meaning side |
| market. | | | | effects or drug reactions. However, possible side |
| Some of the most reckless volunteers can bring up | | | | effects and the well-being of every subject are |
| to $25,000 a year by participating in several clinical | | | | always a high priority for the pharmaceutical |
| trials. After signing a consent form and passing the | | | | companies as well as for the investigators and staff |
| inclusion criteria, volunteers have to go to a clinical | | | | conducting the trials. A participant may has the right |
| research center and undergo several tests such as | | | | to withdraw their consent at any given time, and this |
| checking vital signs, electrocardiograms, breathing | | | | without any reasons. |
| tests, exercise tests, before and after receiving | | | | In conclusion, in these times of economic turndown, |
| treatment. The treatment consist of a new | | | | creative and new ways of generating money can be |
| investigational drug or can also be a placebo. | | | | a big relief at the end of the month. Some people |
| Participants may have to give blood up to 5 times on | | | | are now making their living of clinical trials and to |
| a visit day at the clinical research center. Hence, | | | | those "lab rats", in spite of the possible side effects, |
| volunteers who join many clinical trials may give blood | | | | getting involved in trials is their new way to make |
| up to 300-500 times throughout the year and may | | | | sufficient income to pay the bills. |