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Purposes of clinical drug trials
Drugs can help to reduce the symptoms of the norovirus infection. New drugs must go through clinical trials before being licensed for use.
Give three reasons why clinical trials are needed.
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Marking points
- 1 Checks safety/toxicity, harm, or side effects.
- 2 Checks efficacy: whether the drug works or treats the disease.
- 3 Determines an appropriate dosage.
- 4 Checks interactions with other drugs.
Full-mark answer
Clinical trials check that a drug is safe and does not cause harmful side effects, check that it is effective, and determine the correct dose.
Why this answer loses marks
Trials check whether the drug is dangerous.
“Dangerous” is unqualified; name a testable concern such as toxicity or side effects and give separate purposes for the other checks.