What are clinical trials?

Clinical Trials are highly regulated and safe ways of testing new treatments and obtaining licenses for new medicines. They aim to:
- Help to prevent future diseases, like vaccines
- Help to better diagnose diseases by testing medical devices and biomarkers in our body, which are indicators of the presence of some diseases
- Improve how patients feel and help them to live better and longer
- Find new ways to improve people’s lives, for example, assessing if yoga can improve sleeping patterns
New treatments and devices go through at least two of the following clinical trials phases of testing:
What are the benefits of clinical trials?

Trials assess treatments to manage, improve and prevent diseases. Hence, it is an important process in helping people’s health, often including life-changing treatments for the future. They might help members of your family and your friends in the future and are essential to the developing new treatments and vaccinations. Participants who may need treatment but have exhausted other areas of medicine or want to try innovative treatments can benefit from participating in clinical trials.
Some clinical trials offer payment, ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds, euros, or dollars. Some other clinical trials do not offer payment but may cover some travel expenses.
Each clinical trial will state clearly if the participant would receive remuneration or any type of compensation.
The candidate journey in a clinical trial
Are clinical trials safe?

All clinical trials are designed by healthcare professionals and drug development experts to guarantee the best safety procedures for participants. Before a clinical trial can start, it is also reviewed and approved by governmental health bodies consisting of experienced medical professionals before. During a clinical trial, participants are monitored regularly to ensure any side effects can be managed immediately.
What will I need to do when I participate in clinical trial?

You may have to see or talk on the phone with a healthcare professional or go to the hospital every now and then. The clinical trial team will thoroughly monitor how you are doing and will adjust your treatment if and when needed.
What should I do if I want to take part in a clinical trial?
