Clinical research is the fundamental vehicle that has driven the advances in the medical field, in recent decades.
Billions of US dollars are being invested annually in an attempt to discover cures, vaccines and treatments for myriad diseases from the common cold to cancer.
Without clinical research, life expectancy would drop to levels seen in the distant past. There is a type of clinical trial called an Epidemiological Study which studies the factors affecting the health and illness of populations. It is considered the cornerstone methodology of public health research and plays a important role in identifying risk factors for disease and determining optimal treatment approaches. 1
However, much of clinical research conducted today involves the testing of pharmaceutical agents to determine the drugs’ safety and effectiveness. 2
For further information regarding the regulations on clinical trials in South Africa, click here.