Medical Ethics in Drug Trials

Medical Ethics in Drug Trials

Thousands of people voluntarily enroll in clinical drug trials every year. They are putting their health and safety at risk by participating in a drug trial. One would think they would be doing this to promote medical advancement, but in all actuality, it is for the high dollar amounts they receive for compensation. People that frequently enroll in drug trials are often called “guinea pigs.” The monetary amount people are paid can go as high seventy-five hundred dollars. The more invasive the procedure is the higher the compensation. These “Guinea pigs” are required to pay taxes on the money they do make. (Elliott, 2008)

Reasons for Drug Trials

Clinical trials are designed to test the safety and efficiency of potential interventions in humans. Trials of treatments, prevention modalities, medical devices, and other interventions are the fastest, safest, and best way to determine the failure or success of the product being tested. Treatment trials are experimental treatments. They test new drugs, new combinations of drugs; as well as, approaches to surgery and/or radiation therapy. This is the fastest way to discover the possible therapeutic options. Prevention trials test medicines, vaccines, vitamins, or lifestyle changes.

History of drug Trials

The largest drug-testing site, a 675-bed motel in Miami-Dade County, Florida was demolished in 2006. The participants were undocumented immigrants who were paid minute amounts as compensation. Conditions at the site were deplorable and the living conditions were repulsive. The paint was peeling from the ceilings and half a dozen, or more, individuals were forced to endure their trials in one room. Lisa Krinsky, a Miami native, the medical director wh...

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...://www.forbes.com/2009/05/10/pharmaceuticals-drugs-patents-business-healthcare-drug-patents.html

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