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Before any drug or medical device can be legally marketed in the United
States, it must go through clinical trials that test its safety and
effectiveness. The enforcing body behind these tests is the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Any company that wants to
market a drug in the U.S. must determine through clinical research that the
product is safe and effective in treating the disease for which it is
intended. To get a drug approved, a pharmaceutical company will typically
spend more than $500 million over the course of 5-10 years. These trials
assure that only medications meeting these high and stringent standards
reach the market.
Clinical
trials with investigational medications are currently available across a
wide number of important indications here at St. John's Medical Research.
Clinical trials offer a number of benefits to both patients and physicians.
Physicians do not always have medications that effectively treat a number of
conditions. This process allows the physician and patient to make an
informed decision on an additional treatment option if current therapy is
not proving adequate.
Patients in
southwest Missouri do not currently have access to the increasing number of
clinical trials offered in larger urban areas. By providing the option of
study participation with an investigational medication or device, we provide
our patients access to a treatment option that traditionally has not been
available. In addition, it gives physicians and patients access to
participation in a process that is critical to providing safer and more
effective medications and devices worldwide.
Want to learn more about clinical trials?
Visit the sites below.
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