Medical Trials... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

alundra_2

Try http://www.trials4us.co.uk/
http://www.londontrials.com/

If you're female, it's easier for some trials if you're sterilised or post-menopausal.

alisonnpaul

ok so moneys tight i've read the risks but still fancy a punt can anyone advise on the clesest trials unit to south shields on the north east coast please

freddieD

Shane_Corbett wrote: »

I'm very interested in the medical testing vacancy. I am very fit, I have no medical conditions, I don't take any medication and i have alot of free time. If anyone knows were to sign up Please get in contact with me anytime.

Actually this kind of 'job' is one of the few where being sick is an advantage as I have read that many studies require people with particular medical conditions to test drugs on them: asthma, diabetes, alzheimers, etc.

freddieD

Can anyone tell me if the people who carry out the tests will look in your medical records? I would give them a declaration of my state of health but I would not want a corporation snooping around in my medical files, especially when they could find things that do not have anything to do with what they want to test.

obohan

freddieD wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if the people who carry out the tests will look in your medical records? I would give them a declaration of my state of health but I would not want a corporation snooping around in my medical files, especially when they could find things that do not have anything to do with what they want to test.

Of course they will want to look in your medical records, all the information in your medical records is relevant to them. If you don't think it is then you need to ask for it to be removed first.

freddieD

Thanks for the reply. I have read that you have to attend 1 or 2 screening sessions before they accept you. Do they pay you the travelling expenses for the screening? It is risk money as it could be that only 1 in 100 people screened (or something silly like this) gets accepted for the trial.

freddieD

obohan wrote: »

Of course they will want to look in your medical records, all the information in your medical records is relevant to them. If you don't think it is then you need to ask for it to be removed first.

Thanks but I still do not see how they can get in your medical records. No-one can just go and look at them. I would not give authorisation, especially if I am already answering substantial questionnaires, and I have not seen in the registration and application forms that they will want to look. Not even employers, the police or the courts have the rght to make you let them look in your records!

Has anybody, who has volunteered for medical trials, had any experience of companies looking or asking to look in their records?

Krissy306

how do I sign up for this

garburn

With regard to your medical records, at Covance where I have volunteered you will not be accepted unless you agree for your GP to send a report to them. I assume it is the same at other units. I think you must be registered with a GP to participate in trials as a rule. You also get asked about your medical history in detail, and it's important to keep this accurate. I can get a £25 referral fee for any friend who attends an initial screening there. If you are interested in splitting this send me a PM. I think Covance pay travel expenses, which they fix according to distance to your home address, when you go to any screening.

china-doll_2

HI

I've done medical trials before...the last one I completed was just before Christmas.

It was testing a new inhaler pump - I don't even have asthma. They are checking to see how effective it is compared to a pump which is currently being used. It's pretty easy going, I did 3 lots of 3 night stays and pay is £1100 plus travel expenses.

The first trial I did was last summer, it was a drug which was already out in the market but they were testing a new pill coating. I had to do 2 lots of 8 night stays, so 16 nights in total. Paid just over £2400 plus travel expenses.

For both trials I went for a screening beforehand, the criteria for each trial is different but generally speaking you have to be healthy and fit, non smoker and can't be an excessive drinker. At the screening I had to fill in my details and give them my GP details so they can check your medical history. They won't accept you onto any trail without first checking your medical history. It''s a safety procedure. They then took blood samples and blood pressures, ecg and breathalyser tests. It was all pretty easy.

The actual stay was good, food was OK, people were lovely the only thing is you get bored all day watching TV and on the laptop!

Each trial differs but on my first one I was given the drug on the second day of my stay and then had to give blood at certain times of the day. My current rial seems to be going the same way, I had a check up and urine/blood samples then was told that was all I was needed for today. Tomorrow morning at 7.30am they will give us the inhaler pump to use then take blood samples throughout the day. On day they they take one more blood sample and then we are free to go by midday.

I didn't have any side effects, but some people had headaches, but I think it's due to being in a hospital ward all day with no open windows!

oh and if you're queasy with blood or needles then this isn't for you. I believe the amount of blood they took over the course of the trial was less than 25ml, you'd give much much more if you actually donated blood.

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