What is one of the main goals of clinical trials?

One of the primary objectives of clinical trials is to discover potential side effects in a controlled environment. Clinical trials are designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new drug or treatment. During these trials, researchers carefully monitor participants for any adverse events or side effects that may occur after administration of the drug. This controlled approach allows for a systematic assessment of both the therapeutic effects and the risks associated with the treatment in a defined population.

Identifying side effects is crucial for informing both patients and healthcare providers about the safety profile of the drug. It also plays a significant role in regulatory decision-making, as safety data from clinical trials help ensure that a drug can be approved for public use, while understanding the risks can also inform product labeling and risk management strategies.

In contrast with this focus on safety and efficacy, objectives such as maximizing profits from drug sales, increasing market competition, or developing national drug policies do not represent the main goal of clinical trials. These objectives may be secondary consequences or broader goals of the pharmaceutical industry or health policy but do not directly pertain to the specific aims of conducting clinical research.