For Patients/Community
Thank you for your interest in MakatiMed’s Clinical Trials. Today, we have better treatments because of people who have volunteered to take part in clinical trials.
About Clinical Trials
linical trials are studies or experiments on humans which are carried out to evaluate health-related interventions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), interventions include but are not restricted to, “drugs, cells and other biological products, surgical procedures, radiological procedures, devices, behavioral treatments, process of care changes, and preventive care.”
Clinical trials are designed by pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, government research agencies, or by hospitals and are conducted in hospitals or clinics. Some of the trials involve several hospitals or clinics across several countries. Clinical trials are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
The doctor in charge of a clinical trial is called the “Principal Investigator”. The Principal Investigator executes a detailed plan for the trial, also known as “protocol”. The protocol describes what will be done in a clinical trial and the reasons behind it. It also provides information which helps the Principal Investigator decide if this new treatment is suitable for roll-out to eligible participants.
More people are living longer from medications or interventions which have been proven safe and effective in treating diseases because of clinical trials. Taking part in a clinical trial adds relevant information in the treatment of known and emerging new diseases, and help advance and develop practice guidelines for future patients. Clinical trials are at the heart of all advances and breakthroughs in healthcare. This is the key to making progress against diseases.
About the Clinical Research Center
Makati Medical Center’s Clinical Research Center (CRC) is under the Division of Medical Education and Research. It supports investigators in planning and executing clinical trials.
About the Institutional Review Board
The Makati Medical Center Institutional Review Board (MMC IRB) is an independent body created by the Makati Medical Center (MMC) under the Medical Director. Its responsibility is to ensure the protection of the rights, safety and well-being of human subjects involved in health-related research and to provide public assurance of that protection.
Volunteering
Volunteers are an integral part of the clinical trial process. Human clinical trial is the most critical and important step in the discovery of new medicines and treatments. Healthy people as well as people with a particular disease could play a contributing role to the discovery of medication and treatment efficacy which paves the way to medical advances. It would be simply impossible for a clinical trial to happen without volunteers.
The following are some of the reasons why people volunteer for clinical trials:
- To contribute and receive the newest available treatment to illness or disease
- To contribute and receive additional medical care and attention from doctors
- To make a difference in the care of future patients
- Personal interest in science and the field of medicine
Participating is a choice
You may or may not join a clinical trial. Volunteering is an informed personal choice. No one is obliged to do so, and participation is not suitable for everyone. Each clinical trial has well-defined parameters for eligibility. Any approved volunteer can withdraw participation in a clinical trial at any time for any reason.
Making an informed decision
- Read the Informed Consent Form. – Before participating in a clinical trial, volunteers will be given an essential document called an Informed Consent Form. This form provides key information about the clinical trial. It helps volunteers decide if participating is suitable and potentially beneficial to him or her. To participate in the clinical trial, the Informed Consent Form must be signed by the volunteer and the Principal Investigator. Volunteers may withdraw from the clinical trial at any time.
- Be informed about the clinical trial’s risks and benefits. – Some level of risk to participants is involved in all clinical trials. The Principal Investigator is required to inform volunteers about all known risks, benefits, and available alternative healthcare options.
- Ask questions. – Volunteers are encouraged to ask questions before and during participation in the clinical trial. Questions may be addressed directly to the doctor.
Find a Clinical Trial
To find a clinical trial in Makati Medical Center, click here.
The list below provides additional information and links to resources that may be helpful when searching for clinical trials in which you may be able to participate as a volunteer.
CenterWatch
CenterWatch’s mission is to be the leading source of clinical trials information for both clinical research professionals and patients. First launched in 1994, the Clinical Trials Listings Service assists patients in finding and volunteering for clinical trials.
ClinicalTrials.gov
ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry and results database of publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants conducted around the world. You may also learn more about clinical trials in the website.