Research is key to developing new treatments for illness and disease, including for hep C. Clinical trials are an essential step in the research process. This page has information and resource links to help guide you through the research and the specifics of hepatitis C clinical trials.

Clinical Trial Basics

Pharmaceutical companies and research institutions conduct clinical trials to test drugs they have developed. Under strict government regulations and academic review, the drugs and people’s reactions to the drugs are studied and recorded.

Medical and health professionals conduct the clinical trials in multiple cities around the world.

The data from clinical trial studies are used when a decision is being made about whether to license a drug and how it will be used as part of a treatment.

People are recruited for clinical trials as volunteers. To protect the rights of people involved in clinical trials, researchers are bound by ethical guidelines laid out by international experts.

Testing a Drug

Testing a drug means that the scientists and researchers have an idea of how a drug may work, but aren’t sure if the drug will do what they think it will or what kind of other effects the drug might have.

This might sound scary but for people with few or no other treatment options or for those looking for a different treatment option, clinical trials may provide an opportunity to access new drugs that may not be accessible to them otherwise.

Participating in Clinical Trials

For information about participating in clinical trials and clinical trials in your area continue to Participating in Clinical Trials and Clinical Trials Currently Recruiting in Canada.