Clinical Trials Awareness Week May 2-6, 2016
Whether you’ve taken a medication today to manage a chronic disease or simply to keep a headache at bay, you know that medical innovations have the power to change lives.
But these breakthroughs don’t just happen. Developing new medicines is a lengthy and complex process, relying heavily on volunteer participation to evaluate potential therapies for safety and effectiveness in clinical studies. Without the patients who volunteer to participate in clinical trials, the development of new medicines would not be possible.
During Clinical Trials Awareness Week, May 2 – 6, 2016 we recognize the individuals who have made new, innovative treatments a reality for patients worldwide – clinical trial researchers and participants. By shining a spotlight on these unsung heroes, we can raise awareness about the importance of participating in a clinical trial.
Clinical trials may benefit participants by providing them the opportunity potentially to receive an investigational drug that is not available to people outside the trial. In addition, they may receive treatment from a clinical research team that provides careful oversight of their medical condition. Also, many participants report great satisfaction playing a key role in advancing medical science and helping scientists find new treatments that will help more people live longer, healthier lives. The Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP) reports that 95 percent of clinical trial participants would consider joining a future clinical trial.
Everyone should have access to helpful information about clinical trials and the opportunity to determine if participating in a clinical trial is the right choice for them. Visit our VCU Clinical Trials Facebook page and join the CCTR in spreading the word about the importance of clinical trial participation.
Categories Clinical Trials