Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Estimates on the number of research studies range from about 5,000 to 7,000 each year, many at multiple sites. Clinical trials of experimental drugs proceed through four phases. An IRB is an independent committee of physicians, statisticians, community advocates and others that ensures that a clinical trial is ethical and the rights of study participants are protected. Informed consent is the process of learning the key facts about a clinical trial.
All clinical trials have guidelines about who can get into the program.