Drug Trials *source: bitesize

Drug Trials

Developing Drugs: STAGE 1 – First the drugs are tested using computer models and then human cells grown in a lab. *Many fail this test because they simply don’t work or the drugs damage the cells.

Developing Drugs: STAGE 2 – Drugs that pass the first stage are then tested on animals. In the UK, new medicines must undergo these tests. The test involves giving a known amount of the substance to the animals, then monitoring them carefully for any side-effects.

Developing Drugs: STAGE 3 – Drugs that have passed animal tests are used in clinical trials. The drugs are then tested on healthy volunteers to check they are safe. Very low doses of the drug are given to begin with.

Developing Drugs: STAGE 4 – If there are no problems, further clinical trials are done to find the optimum dose for…