What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study which has to be conducted before a new drug is registered. The principal aim of clinical trials is evaluating the safety and efficiency of a new medicinal product (drug) or medical device.
Clinical research concerns new drugs with respect to which there is a strong presumption that they might be more effective than the drugs currently in use or new indications for already registered drugs. Patients who are enrolled in a clinical trial may benefit from advanced methods of diagnosis and therapy.
Clinical trials are conducted according to strict procedures governed by law and are controlled by the Minister of Health and Bioethics Committee. A patient who is to be enrolled in a clinical trial receives detailed information on available treatment methods, clinical trial procedures, investigational drug, patient’s rights, insurance cover and has all his questions answered by a specialist. After the patient is given all the information and before he is subject to any medical procedures connected with the trial, he has to give his informed consent in writing.
All medical procedures related to patient’s participation in the research study and the administered drugs are free of charge.