13. Are there different types of clinical trials?

 

Yes. Clinical trials are carried out in two stages - an 'early stage' and a 'later stage'.

 

Early stage clinical trials usually involve a small number of patients or healthy people and focus on safety and the amount of the medicine to use.

 

 

Later stage clinical trials usually involve large numbers of patients and look at the long-term benefits and risks of the treatment so that the doctor can decide whether or how best to use it.