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Poll: Would you consider taking part in a clinical trial of a new drug for a fee?

* Please note that the results of the online poll represent just a snapshot of opinion from the site members who participate. The results of each poll do not necessarily represent the national picture. Participants are only allowed to vote once in each poll.

halfpoint  Posted: 20/03/2006 12:31

no

ambtech  Posted: 20/03/2006 19:31

drug research should only be carried out on humans when clinicly proved safe to do so

Fionnuala(ZJW15065)  Posted: 20/03/2006 21:56

I probably would not have had a problem before last week because drugs have to be tested on a few people before general release. I do hope all the men in the UK get better soon - it has been just horrendous.

Mathosky  Posted: 21/03/2006 14:13

I live in Africa where we are benefitting from drugs that western people have consented to clinical trials. I feel terribly annoyed when people criticise pharmaceutical companies for trials of anitiretrovial drugs in Africa where the disease has the highest prevalence. If they don't conduct ARV trials in Africa, where else? Therefore, I would reward the west by taking part in any clinical trial of any drug that has gone past phases 1 and 2. However, I will not accept payment of any form.

bernie(OFJ41696)  Posted: 22/03/2006 11:56

all drugs have at some stage to be tested on humans, there will always have to be a first person to take the drug and with that the risk that something may not go according to plan. It is important therefore that such trials are extremely well controlled and supervised and that all the data gained from the trials is accessable to all interested parties, thus limiting the chance of duplication. I wish those men a speedy and complete recovery.

Tiffy  Posted: 22/03/2006 12:14

Amdtech, surely if drugs were clinicaly proven to be safe for humans then we wouldn\'t need human drugs trials at all.

Anonymous   Posted: 22/03/2006 12:40

only if it involved cannabis

Mary(IBK17340)  Posted: 22/03/2006 13:07

No, after the controversy over the 6 men, but appreciate the fact that people do take part.

traby  Posted: 22/03/2006 13:56

this time last week i would have but after what happened to those men there is no way...not for all the money in the world.

Dee  Posted: 22/03/2006 14:15

I saw on the BCC news awhile back. This man tried the new drugs that was on trial. Look what happen to him. He end up in hospital on a life support machine. I would never dream of doing it not for free or not for money. I would rather keep myself safe rather than trying out some fancy new drugs that might put you in hospital.

Anonymous   Posted: 22/03/2006 15:22

Clinically proven MEANS that it has been tested on humans, that's the difference between lab tests and clinical trials. For every new drug developed there always has to be someone who is the first person/group of people to get it and until then you don't really know whether it'll be successful or not.

Lily  Posted: 22/03/2006 15:35

I don't think I'd want to do a trial for money, however if i had a serious illness I would be happy to try a drug that was in the last stages of trials.

Anonymous   Posted: 22/03/2006 15:47

I think I would consider it if i were short of cash.

Anonymous   Posted: 22/03/2006 15:57

I personally would not, a number of friends at university did it for the cash, some were quite ill though thankfully not as bad as the latest incident, but needed the money to be able to stay at university. They were only paid if they completed the 2 week course, so ended up missing over a week of lectures, which was what the trials were paying for - CRAZY i think.

Mary  Posted: 22/03/2006 16:05

Doing it simply for cash is very mercenary I feel. Like a previous poster, in the case of serious illness I would be willign to try somehtign in thr last stages of testing.

P(PRafter)  Posted: 22/03/2006 16:23

I like your post Anon, but since cannabis is the oldest drug, the test would need to involve a totally novel strain; a fifth variety. In such a case you'd be behind me in the queue because I'd be first. I wouldn't want to even touch a new synthetic drug. Thank you.

Blath  Posted: 22/03/2006 16:25

Only if I were diagnosed with a terminal illness. I would take part in a clinical trial to test drugs for the diagnosed illness because I would have nothing to lose. However, this trial would have to take place under the supervision of a known expert on the illness in question.

linda  Posted: 22/03/2006 17:26

i definitely would, what happened last week was a freak and tragic accident.

Anonymous   Posted: 22/03/2006 17:43

No way! The pharmaceutical are out to make big money and they really aren't out to help people with illnesses. Take for instance Biogen and Elan with their new drug tysabri which killed people in the trial! It was terrible and what's even worse is that thsi drug is almost coming onto the market casue it redid trials and will probably be passed by the FDA.

the colonel  Posted: 22/03/2006 18:51

a lot would depend on what the drug was for. and what wer its contents

Anonymous   Posted: 22/03/2006 20:31

Like Lily said I wouldn't risk it unless I had a terminal disease that had progressed to the point where I had little or know chance any way because I had exhausted all other options including holistic/shamanic approach.

sandy  Posted: 22/03/2006 22:01

It would have to be safe

P(PRafter)  Posted: 22/03/2006 23:44

How very insightful, sandy. Thank you.

Trish  Posted: 23/03/2006 09:15

Anonymous - what is a 'shamaniac approach'? Does this have anything to do with medecine?

Polly  Posted: 23/03/2006 09:51

I would have no problem taking part in a clinical trial if there was a possibility that the quality of my life would improve.

Anonymous   Posted: 23/03/2006 13:28

Perhaps an intermediate between animal and human.

Ger  Posted: 23/03/2006 13:29

I think this poll might be tainted by recent events in drug research. Last week highlighted a need for more rigorous protocols before human testing takes place.

Chana  Posted: 23/03/2006 15:12

Anonymous Posted: 23/03/2006 13:28 Perhaps an intermediate between animal and human. - What is this supposed to mean??

Gjad  Posted: 23/03/2006 17:14

To qualify my "Unsure" vote. I would only take part if it was the very last resort, and if I was suffering from an illness that inevitably resulted in death in a short time with extreme pain or coma and lifesupport. It would not be a question of of the fee.

HOMER  Posted: 23/03/2006 20:01

Hello I am on a drug,that passed all clinical tests aprox.5years ago.It is for a form of Neuorsis,which is a fammily name for depression,I had tried 6 different cocktails which are well established.And they did not help me.So I agreed to try a drug which had just finished it's clinical trials and with very positive results and I came out very unfortunate.It is doing what it's supposed to do, but the side effects are still in a learning process.My choice here was to use the drug which helps me a lot,But I became Obese,I can't sleep comfortably & have'nt slept in a bed for 4 years.I found out through trial & error that I could only sleep when I used the drug at prescribed times or through exhaustion.I learned that getting sleep at appropriate hours is with the aid of an arm chair and pouffe for movement of my legs during my sleep hours.I have to wear Anti-Embolism stockings 24/7.When I go out for fresh air and exercise. I end up in pain I used to take painkillers for this pain but not anymore.I take on the pain which is muscular and ONLY get some ease from it when I move my body into it.The Doctor's this is beyond their belief and I gave permission for my Doctor to take my case to a Seminar in the States. No new news came from it.I will not name the drug.Iwas asked to try another drug and shot it down literally it was never mentioned again.I am no on 4 years sick leave.And my employer while sympathic toward my case had to make me medically retired for my job which I enjoyed for 27 years.I did regret it but my decision is I will continue to take the drug as I now have some quality of life,even with the side effects.It is my choice and I will live with it.

P(PRafter)  Posted: 23/03/2006 22:35

Sounds like a human guinea pig, Chana. Thank you.

liam(lcollins)  Posted: 23/03/2006 23:19

all of us humans exist but for an instant, in the timescale of the universe.99% of us contribute nothing, and avail of everything, like antibiotics, drugs, social welfare, so why do some people think that it is unfair to take risks , if it will do the future generations good, some people are just all for themselves.

Mary  Posted: 24/03/2006 11:48

Don't know about you Liam but I contribute a fair whack in taxs and PRSI, VAT and health levies , Of course I take what antibiotics and drugs I need and I PAY for them

HOMER  Posted: 24/03/2006 22:35

Hello Sounds like a human guinea pig is what some people throuhgout the world do so others may or may not benefit.I am a Coeliac and contribute to all forms of testing while having my own tes done.For the next generation.In relation to having to PAY for health I agree with you this country is far too DEAR for a service that is scandulous.I used to pay hard earned moey for my health now I'm paying healthwise I am called a book of science.Iwould dearly love to onlyhave to pay cash and have my health back.Human guinea pigs I praise them for their courage thank you.

Claire  Posted: 26/03/2006 09:29

As a patient with a chronic illness, i would be willing to try out new medications provided they had passed initial safety stages. The fee would be nice, but an improvement in my condition would be my main consideration. On bad days, I would be willing to try anything even if it hadn't been tested before.

al  Posted: 26/03/2006 15:45

After what has happened 100% no,

minnie  Posted: 29/03/2006 20:46

If I did consider acting as a guinea pig for testing a new drug it would definitely not be for money. I would do it for free or not at all. It would have to be a calculated decision taken at the time and would depend on the possible advantages for present and future generations, weighed against the minimal risks involved

TJ  Posted: 14/07/2006 12:37

I am unfortunate to have MS & at this stage I would try anything to feel normal again.

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