Phases of Clinical Trials

Clinical trials involve several phases to ensure a new treatment is safe and effective. Phase 1 tests the drug on a small group of healthy volunteers to assess safety and dosage. Phase 2 involves more people with the condition to evaluate effectiveness and side effects. Phase 3 compares the new treatment to existing options or placebo in large populations to confirm its benefits and monitor adverse reactions. If successful, the drug moves to Phase 4, where it’s monitored after approval for long-term safety and effectiveness in the general population. Each phase helps build confidence in the new medical intervention.