| Completed by volunteers, FDA (short for Federal | | | | Health, there are five types of clinical studies, which |
| Drug Administration) clinical trials are a series of tests, | | | | all are broken down in the following list: |
| experiments, and surveys that are done to collect | | | | Treatment Trials. These test new drug combinations, |
| safety information regarding drugs and other | | | | radical approaches to surgery, and/or experimental |
| materials. In a long and lengthy process, these are | | | | treatments. |
| performed only after an extensive number of tests | | | | Screening Trials. These test health conditions and |
| have been done and enough information has been | | | | diseases. |
| completed and deemed as being satisfactory. From | | | | |
| there, the Health Authority and Ethics Committee | | | | Supportive Care Trials. These test and explore |
| give their stamp of approval to the country whom is | | | | various ways of comforting the quality of life in |
| running the trials. | | | | individuals with chronic illnesses. |
| However, before getting to the final step, a lot of | | | | Prevention Trials. These test ways that can prevent |
| work has to be done. Due to the fact that FDA | | | | certain diseases from returning, or prevent diseases |
| clinical trials are so expensive, in the beginning, only a | | | | at all through the use of better lifestyle changes and |
| small portion of volunteers are chosen to start off | | | | or medications. |
| with. The number of people used in these studies can | | | | Compassionate Use Trials. These are used as a last |
| change, due to one or more factors. These include | | | | resort, as the FDA must personally review each case |
| but are not limited to: the product in question, its | | | | by case, one by one, to determine if these tests are |
| current stage of development, etc. Assuming that | | | | necessary or not. When demonstrated, these tests |
| the initial round of trials go well, then the number of | | | | provide patients with experimental therapy whom |
| volunteers involved automatically increases. This is | | | | have previously had less than desireable or |
| done as a means to compare and contrast, between | | | | unsuccessful remedies in the past. |
| the product in question, and an already prescribed | | | | The majority of the time, most FDA clinical studies |
| drug. The size of FDA clinical trials can vary, going | | | | are completed in reference to some type of |
| anywhere from one center to dozens. | | | | experimental drug. |
| According to the United States National Institute of | | | | |