Clinical trials refer to a set of procedures that are conducted in order to evaluate the safety, efficacy and effectiveness of new drugs or treatments. These studies involve human participants who volunteer to participate in these trials with the aim of helping researchers develop better medical interventions for various diseases and conditions.
During clinical trials, patients are randomly assigned to either receive the experimental treatment or a placebo (a fake treatment). The study is then conducted over several phases, starting from small-scale Phase 1 studies that test safety and dosage, followed by larger scale Phase 2 and 3 studies that evaluate efficacy and effectiveness.
The results of clinical trials are carefully analyzed to determine whether the new treatment is safe and effective enough to be approved for use in the general population. Clinical trials play a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge, improving patient care, and ultimately saving lives.