Clinical trials : tool for medical advancement or opportunity for quick money?.

Abstract

“Clinical Trials: Tool for Medical Advancement or Opportunity for Quick Money?”(临床试验，“钱”途无限) is a comprehensive news feature story comprising of four installments that examine the clinical trial scene, particularly Phase 1 drug trials, in Singapore. It is a timely report as Singapore is gearing up to become a regional medical hub, with many overseas biomedical and pharmaceutical corporations establishing their operations here in the recent few years. Through conducting interviews with more than 10 clinical trial volunteers, both healthy trial volunteers and patient participants, we look into their main motivations in signing up for a medical trial, the possible risks of side-effects they might face as well as various “profession lab rats” who depend solely on signing up for drug trials for income. In addition, we have spoken to numerous representatives from private and government institutions which play a significant role in Singapore’s clinical trial sector. They include regulatory bodies, government-owned hospitals and multi-national pharmaceuticals. We conclude that the local medical trial scene is set to grow, and while some Singaporeans may frown upon clinical trial volunteers and their mindsets now, they may be more accepting of them in the future, given that they understand the pivotal role that such trials play.