Why do we need to conduct clinical trials?
The vast majority of us at sometime in our lives will have been prescribed some form of medication by our doctor. In doing so you will have benefited directly from clinical trials, which would have involved healthy volunteers like you.
Medicines we now take for granted, such as Ibuprofen and antibiotics like amoxicillin were once new drugs and had to undergo a series of Clinical Trials before being allowed onto the market. In fact these medicines continue to be researched as pharmaceutical companies strive to improve formulations etc.
Giving a medicine to a healthy volunteer provides information on the safety and tolerance of new medicines and how a healthy body absorbs and excretes drugs. This can be tested for example, by taking blood and urine samples, by measuring blood pressure and performing a ECG (a trace of your heart rate) at various times in the day.
Have you ever considered how a doctor knows how frequently you need to take a drug? Again this information is obtained from measuring the drug in volunteers' blood. This is done by taking blood samples over a period of time and then measuring the amount of drug in each sample.
What are the benefits of volunteering to take part in clinical research?
- You may help in the development of medicines that may help someone suffering from a chronic, serious, or life-threatening illness.
- You may provide important scientific information for developing the medicines of the future.
- You'll receive a thorough medical examination and blood screen to check your health status.
- Volunteers who take part in clinical research studies at Simbec receive a generous inconvenience payment which can range from £350 to £2000+.
- Whilst on a study you'll have lots of time to relax, catch up on some studying using our free Internet access, or just chill out in the recreation room playing pool or test your knowledge and skill by playing our board games.
- Simbec will provide all your meals during your stay.
- And provide transport to and from Simbec whilst on a study
Is it safe and are there any side effects?
Have you ever read the information in a box of tablets? In this you will see that most medicines may have side effects. As a volunteer you will be concerned about your safety. That is why here at Simbec the well being of our volunteers is always our priority. Each and every study we undertake is submitted to the South East Wales Research Ethics Committee, as an independent group, who will review the information available and ensure that each study maintains the highest levels of safety before allowing it to proceed.
What does a typical trial involve?
Before the start of every trial, you will have to undergo a pre-trial medical examination and blood test to ensure that you are suitable to take part. Before this medical examination, you will be provided with the full trial details and will be asked to sign a consent form. If you decide to take part in a trial and require transport to Simbec, we will arrange this for you.
Every trial follows a strict schedule of events. You may need to fast overnight, followed by dosing of the trial medication usually in the morning. Dosing is mostly in tablet form but maybe an injection, liquid, patches or infusion.
At the end of every trial you will have to attend for post-trial blood tests and medical examination before being discharged from the trial. Then, usually two days following this examination, you are paid for having helped us.
At Simbec we aim to make your stay as comfortable as possible with a full range of free facilities available. There is satellite TV, Playstation consoles, daily newspapers and magazines, board & trivia games. There is also a well-equipped leisure room with snooker and pool tables, and a range of video game machines. If you want to study or just unwind there is a quiet room with free Internet access on hand for you. We provide you with all your meals during your stay at Simbec, although there may be certain restrictions on what you can eat. We can, on request, provide alternative diets e.g. vegetarian.
Am I eligible to take part?
We are looking for regular everyday healthy men and women like you.
Each year we have in excess of 1000 individuals who take part in our trials, who include people from professional backgrounds, students, factory workers, housewives, and retired men & woman.
If you wish to apply please go through the following criteria to see if you are suitable to join our panel.
- You must be over the age of 18 and be able to provide a form of identification and your National Insurance Number.
- All women of childbearing potential must be using a reliable form of contraception i.e. the oral contraceptive pill, implant, injection or the coil. We are also interested in recruiting women who are sterilised or who are post-menopausal.
- You must be currently registered with a local doctor and with your written consent we will contact your GP to check your medical history.
- You must not be currently undergoing or waiting for any surgery, medical investigations or treatments.
- Most studies have a weight range with a BMI of between 18 and 30 (though there are exceptions to this).
- Owing to the risk of hepatitis if you have had a tattoo or any body piercing within the last 6 months you will not be currently suitable.
- We routinely screen for social/recreational drugs. If you regularly use such drugs and are found to have a positive result, you will be excluded from joining our panel of volunteers.
- Those individuals who are HIV positive or may be at risk will not be allowed to take part in clinical trials. Please note that all potential volunteers are consented and tested for HIV.
If you are interested and are not excluded by any of the criteria previously mentioned, then the next step is to contact our Recruitment Team where a team member will go through a preliminary questionnaire with you on our Freephone Number
0800 691995
On satisfactorily completing this questionnaire you will be invited to attend, for an initial medical assessment. This will include measurements of your blood pressure, pulse, an ECG and also measurements of your height and weight. Blood and urine samples will be taken to check your health status. Also, at this time we will ask for your written permission to contact your GP, so please bring along with you the full name and address of your GP.
Before coming in for this medical please note:
- Avoid alcohol and any strenuous exercise for 48 hours before your appointment.
- Have only a light breakfast and fluids on the day of your appointment.
- If you have taken any medications (including painkillers) within the last seven days please check by phone, that it is still suitable to attend your appointment.
Once, the results of your questionnaire and medical are obtained, a decision will be made on your suitability to participate in any clinical trials we conduct here at Simbec
Remember, that by becoming a member of our panel of healthy volunteers you will be under no obligation to take part in any clinical trial and if you do take part you are free to withdraw at anytime. Each project includes a generous payment for your time and inconvenience.
If you are unsure about whether or not you may be suitable do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 691995, alternatively you can e-mail your enquiry or comments and we will get back to you.
Click here to apply to become a volunteer.
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