Clinical Trials…
It’s a term that strikes fear into the hearts of many Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients. The fear of the unknown, the potential risks involved and, dare I say it? The disappointment that comes with trying another new medication and coming to find that it doesn’t work. At some point we all just want to feel better… many of us are willing to try anything! But clinical trials? I myself was a skeptic. Was it really worth the risk?
Really Not That Risky
Contrary to popular belief, clinical trials are not as risky as you would think. During the course of the trials, patients are carefully monitored by doctors for any adverse reactions. If there’s even a hint of a problem, the trial is immediately stopped. AND, the patients can opt out of the clinical trials at any time if they don’t feel comfortable with the treatment. It is a doctor’s duty to ensure the safety and well-being of every patient.
Paving the Way for Future Patients
Clinical trials are the third stage in testing the latest developmental drugs. Without them, we wouldn’t have the life-saving treatments we have for patients today (and that includes surgical treatments like the j-pouch). To learn more about the drug development process, you can click here.
So, Where Do You Start?
Ok, so, say you have tried pretty much every treatment you can think of. And you feel like you’ve run out of options. The only thing left are clinical trials. Or maybe you’re interested in empowering yourself with the knowledge of all of the options available to you–both the treatment options currently available as well as those in development. Where do you start? That’s where Clara comes in.
Who (or What) is Clara?
Clara’s mission is to help patients access new treatments by matching them up with clinical trials.
“We exist to help you access breakthrough clinical trials. We believe that all patients should have the power to access the most advanced healthcare available. But we understand that getting started on the journey can be overwhelming. That’s why we built Clara to be the simplest, fastest, most patient-friendly way to connect you to the newest treatment options. And that’s why we work every day to help bring more clarity to this space. Because your health is the most important thing. We are Clara and we’re here to help you every step of the way.”
Clara Makes the Complex Simple
Clinical trials and the process of signing up can be complex! Clara helps you along the way and finds the trials relevant to you (read their guide to clinical trials). Right now, there are 471 clinical trials for IBD. A grand total of 286,075 patients are needed right now. Advancements for Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis are being made every day. But unless we fill up those clinical trials, we’re going to have slow progress when it comes to getting these treatments available to patients.
Contact Clara
To learn more, you can visit their website at www.clarahealth.com or you can email their friendly staff at team@clarahealth.com. You can also find them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
