Clinical Research Safety: Ensuring Participant Protections

Clinical research plays a vital role in the discovery and advancement of new drugs and therapeutics. However, safety concerns are so significant that a majority of Americans express hesitancy about participating in such trials.

Recently, researchers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) conducted a survey revealing noteworthy findings:

• Only 35% of Americans showed a willingness to enroll in a clinical trial.
• Only 40% of Americans hold a positive overall impression of clinical trials.
• A mere 4% of cancer patients participate in clinical trials annually on a national scale.

While these results may not surprise the general public, they should serve as a wake-up call for bioscience professionals. The lack of widespread public interest in clinical research poses challenges in recruiting and enrolling patients. Consequently, the scarcity of new trials hinders the identification and development of successful treatments for cancer and other health conditions.

Given the genuine safety concerns among patients, it is essential to closely examine the security measures currently in place for clinical trials. Read this article to gain a better understanding of how trials are designed and carried out with patient safety at the forefront.