What Are Clinical Trial Phases?

Clinical trials of experimental drugs proceed through four phases: In Phase I clinical trials, researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects. In...

What Is A Protocol?

All clinical trials are based on a set of rules called a protocol. A protocol describes the criteria for participation; the schedule of tests, procedures, medications, and dosages; and the length of the study.