How Trials Are Supported
Many types of organization support clinical trials, such as government departments or agencies, not-for-profits, universities, and pharmaceutical companies.
Regardless of who provides funding, all trials are checked and monitored in similar ways to ensure that participants are protected. Each trial also has a sponsor who is responsible for the conduct of the trial. The sponsor may be the organization funding the trial or the institution hosting the research.
Many of these organizations involve patients to help decide what will be researched in the future. It is essential that research considers the needs and interests of the people it is trying to help. Specialists are often aware of gaps in knowledge about diagnosis and treatment, but patients and their families may other aspects of care that need further research.