A clinical trial is a scientific study that tests the effectiveness of a new medical treatment, drug, or device with patients. While years are spent in laboratory and animal research to determine the general use and safety of a new treatment, a clinical trial studies the effects of it on people. The medical world cares about the human condition. That's why researchers constantly look for better or new ways of treating illness and disease.
Clinical trials are the only way that testing can be done.
Clinical trials are the link between research and the relief of human suffering. Pharmaceutical companies , research institutions, or other health organizations may be the sponsor of a clinical trial. They are responsible for funding and for designing its protocol. A protocol is a set of detailed guidelines that clinical investigators follow in order to conduct the same clinical trial at several different locations. Before a pharmaceutical company can initiate testing in humans, it must conduct extensive pre-clinical or laboratory research.