For those looking to make some extra money, taking part in a clinical trial could seem like the ideal answer. However, before you volunteer your body, there are some things you should be considering.
High Demand for Test Participants
New drugs are constantly being developed, and pharmaceutical companies need to carry out clinical trials to ensure that they are safe. This means that there are an increasing number of medical studies that pay, and generally there is a minimal amount of effort required.
Varying Participant Requirements
The majority of clinical trials will have fairly wide parameters, such as healthy volunteers between 18 and 75 years of age. There will be others, though, that have more specific requirements, such as diabetics or asthma sufferers, and it’s important you know what these are and are truthful with the clinical trial company.
Three Trial Phases
There are three different phases that trials need to go through before the drug can be deemed safe, and these depend on the extent of research that has already been carried out. Phase 1 trial drugs will already have been tested on animals, but these will be the first human tests, whereas phase 3 trials have had more research conducted. Clinical trials are expensive, and a large phase 3 study could cost between £24m and £48m.
Payment Isn’t Based on Risk
When you’re researching medical studies that pay, such as the trials organised by http://www.trials4us.co.uk/, you need to remember that riskier drugs don’t necessarily mean a higher reimbursement. How much you make is typically calculated from the amount of time it will take, and you may also be given a travel allowance.
How Long Is the Trial?
With some studies you could have to stay for two weeks or even longer, which could be disruptive to the rest of your life, so it’s crucial to find out exactly what your commitment will be.
You Might Not Be Given the Drug
Not all participants will receive the drug being tested, and you might take a similar drug or a placebo so that the results can be compared.
You Can Leave the Trial
Even when you’ve signed up to a trial, you can leave the process at any point if it becomes too much or you’re not happy with the treatment.
