How Do Clinical Trials Contribute to Understanding Drug Efficacy?
Clinical trials are the gold standard for assessing drug efficacy. They are usually conducted in multiple phases:
1. Phase I Trials: Assess safety and dosage. 2. Phase II Trials: Evaluate the drug's efficacy and side effects. 3. Phase III Trials: Compare the new drug to the current standard treatment. 4. Phase IV Trials: Monitor long-term effects and real-world efficacy after the drug is approved.
These trials provide comprehensive data that help in understanding a drug's performance across different patient groups and settings.
