Testing New Drugs

Describe the comprehensive, multi-stage process of discovering, developing, and strictly testing potential new medical drugs.
Explain that new pharmaceuticals must be rigorously evaluated for overall toxicity, efficacy, and correct dosage limits.
Detail the stages of preclinical testing, which involve laboratory studies using isolated cells, tissues, and live animal models.
Outline the phases of clinical trials, starting with very low doses in healthy human volunteers, followed by scaling up to find optimal dosages in patients.
Explain the methodology and vital importance of double-blind trials utilizing placebos to eliminate bias from both doctors and patients.
Understand that clinical trial results must undergo rigorous peer review before widespread publication and medical adoption.

What you need to know