National Clinic Trial Day highlights the importance of clinical trials

MARYLAND – National Clinic Trial Day commemorates James Lind who started the first clinical trial back on May 20, 1747. He wanted to study the effects of different remedies for scurvy among sailors at sea. His research famously provided evidence of the benefits of citrus fruits to treat this disease.

Clinical trials have undergone many changes since the time of James Lind, not only in respect to medical, scientific, and technological advances but also in terms of ethical and legal requirements. Regardless, clinical trials remain a critical part of drug development, as a means of generating evidence to support the regulatory decision-making for safe and effective new medicines.

A clinical trial is the effort to understand whether or not an intervention has a specific outcome, according to Dr. Bob Joyner, Director of Research at Tidal Health. All of the medical advances we see today that pertain to vaccines, general care, cardiology, or cancer care, are all because of the research from clinical trials. “If somebody was studying a new antibiotic, they may set up a clinical trial where people either receive the older antibiotic or the new antibiotic to see whether the infection has cleared more quickly with the new antibiotic… You should never believe that medicine, is finished evolving, it’s always evolving, it’s always getting better.”

Dr. Joyner says no one should be afraid of clinical trials, and they benefit everyone. He says citizens should ask questions to make sure whether or not you do or don’t want to participate, and encourages people to give it a chance, because it could end up helping you or someone you love. Tidal Health will be holding a Research Symposium on June 13 and welcome the public to attend. If you want more information on clinical trials email research@tidalhealth.org.