Issues for citizens: How do drug companies make sure a new drug is as safe as possible?

Questions that science may help to answer: How are new drugs developed and tested?

Module B2.3: What are antibiotics, and why can they become less effective? How are new drugs developed and tested?

5. Recall that new drugs are first tested for safety and effectiveness using human cells grown in the laboratory and animals;
6. Recall that human trials may then be carried out:

• On healthy volunteers to test for safety;
• On people with the illness to test for safety and effectiveness.

7. Describe and explain the use of 'blind' or 'double-blind' human trials in the testing of a new medical treatment;
8. Understand why placebos are not commonly used in human trials.