DRUG TRIALS

Question 1

What happens during phase 1 of drug trials?

Answer 1

Find out about what the optimal dosage is, how much of a dosage is too much or too little and side effects that the drug has on humans. These effects could be different in humans compared to animals. How many people actually benefit from the drug?

Question 2

Phase II

Answer 2

In a phase II clinical trial, the drug is given to people to have the condition that the drug is being developed for however the sample size is usually not large enough to determine overall if the drug is beneficial or not.

Question 3

Phase III

Answer 3

During phase III the safety and the effectiveness of the new drug is compared against the current standard treatment that exists for that condition. This can then allow patients to have a choice between the old treatment or new treatment depending on which is better

Question 4

Phase IV

Answer 4

Phase IV occurs after the drug has been approved to be on the market and monitors the side effects of the drug over a long period of time.