Posted by ghost on December 22, 2004, at 14:39:57
In reply to Re: Has anyone participated in a drug study?, posted by Dan Perkins on December 22, 2004, at 11:56:07
Dan's got a LOT of valid points.
I'd just like to add a #5:
Drugs that go into clinical trials in humans still have a LOT of bugs to be worked out. Basically, they didn't cause irreparable horrifying harm to small animals. They don't know if it does what they want it to do, or how they want it to do it, or what the side effects will be. (That's your job.)
Now, I think that human studies are ESSENTIAL to the drug industry, and we can't get drugs out the door without them (I work for a pharmaceutical company), but I think people should think VERY hard about these studies. I also think they're very good options for people with no other options. Often if a drug is found to work during a study, you'll be offered treatment afterwards (as Dan said), but they can't always continue that treatment beyond a period of time.
That's my rant for the day.
I knew a girl in grad school who used to do these studies for various things. I don't know how/why she did them (well I know why-- the money), because they sounded awful. she'd be given the drug (various routes, too, including a vaginal suppository!), and they'd draw blood hourly (or more) for two days solid. She had to stay overnight. They didn't even give her an IV-- they stuck her that many times! Unbelievable.
I guess what works for her might not work for me. And without her there won't be drugs to help me. But still. Wow.
Anyhow. Really. I'm done ranting now.
Take care,
ghost
poster:ghost
thread:432801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041217/msgs/432931.html