Why are clinical trials important?

Have you ever wondered how your physician determines which medication to prescribe to treat a specific medical condition?
Every year pharmaceutical companies and research centers develop new medications to save, extend, or improve the quality of life. Before these medications can become available to patients, they must first be tested in clinical studies that follow strict U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules. The FDA looks closely at the results of these clinical trials to determine whether the new medication is safe and effective for the general public. All prescription medications must go through a series of clinical trials before they receive the FDA approval. Clinical trials determine the safety and efficacy of the medication. The FDA also approves the indication of the drug; that is, what medical condition the drug may be prescribed for. Without these controlled studies, your physician would not know which medications are safe and effective to treat your medical condition.