Before a new medicine reaches patients, it goes through a long series of tests designed to find problems early.
Lab and animal studies
Researchers first study how the substance behaves in cells and in animals, looking for obvious harm.
Phase 1: is it safe?
A small group of people takes the medicine so researchers can check safety and find a tolerable dose.
Phases 2 and 3: does it work?
Larger groups follow, often compared with an existing treatment or a placebo, to measure benefits and side effects.
Review and after approval
Regulators review all the data before approval, and safety is still monitored once the medicine is in wide use.
Sources and corrections. This article draws on the sources listed here. Spotted a mistake? and we will correct it.
- 1 Sample source: background reference
- 2 Sample source: official or primary document
- 3 Sample source: explainer from another publisher (facts only)
