Quote:
Originally Posted by Kybosh
To follow up on my last message I'll address a few points:
1) Yes, Thalidomide led to horrific outcomes. The problem was that modern day clinical trials were not around yet, not the animal testing. The Thalidomide tragedy (and others) have led to the modern practice for clinical trials which is so extensive that it might blow your mind. Check the link and pay special attention to the number of people involved for each phase, the time and money invested and the relative success rate for target compounds. |
I am interested in the whole principle of how a drug becomes 'public'. Way back when, whilst still in England, I took part in clinical trials. I have heard recently that people in North America are paid to take part in trials. I certainly wasn't in England and it was never one of my considerations in taking part in the trial. If I could help, then I certainly wanted to. Perhaps that is the attitude that is missing. That may have something to do with my upbringing. For those who can't be bothered to read all the posts on this thread (and I don't blame you) when my father was dying from cancer 50 years ago he allowed the doctors to test drugs on him and after he died he donated his body to science. I greatly admired his values.