Researchers must first test it in a laboratory with animals. Then, they must do a clinical trial in a hospital or clinic to test it in people. They look at the results of the clinical trials to make this decision. Testing drugs for hepatitis C is very important, and clinical trials are a way to find new and better medicines. All medicines that you can now get for hepatitis C were first tested in clinical trials.
Clinical trials follow a set of rules called a protocol .
The protocol says who can participate, how long the study is, and which tests need to be done. Clinical trials are managed by doctors, and are usually run by nurses or other health care professionals. The clinical trial staff will follow your progress closely and can help tell your regular doctor what is happening with your treatment. This is a group of people who review the clinical trial regularly to protect your rights, safety and well being. When you are in a clinical trial, you may need to see the doctor more often, and sometimes stay overnight in the hospital.