Addressing Eight Misconceptions About Clinical Trials in Canada

Addressing Eight Misconceptions About Clinical Trials in Canada

Have you heard some common mistruths and misconceptions about medical trials in Canada? Each year, Health Canada authorizes close to 900 clinical trials. Unfortunately, misinformation is preventing some Canadians from participating in this essential aspect of developing new medications and treatments that have the potential to change lives.

At BioPharma Services, we’re committed to providing Canadians with accurate, transparent information about clinical trials. Have you been wondering if participating in a clinical trial in Canada could be a smart choice for you? Let’s bust some myths by addressing misconceptions about clinical trials in Canada.

Myth #1: You Have to Spend Time in a Hospital Away From Home to Participate in a Clinical Trial in Canada

Some Canadians are put off by the idea of participating in a clinical trial because they assume it means they’ll need to travel to a major hospital in one of Canada’s metro areas. In reality, some trials could be taking place much closer to home. Yes, many trials do take place at major hospitals and university-affiliated research centers. However, they also take place at smaller regional hospitals, local medical offices, community clinics, or private offices owned by biotechnology firms. The point is that it’s very possible to participate in a clinical trial in Canada that’s close to home.

For instance, Clinical Research Organizations like BioPharma Services, which conducts various clinical trials, is conveniently located at 4000 Weston Road, near the heart of the Greater Toronto Area, making it easily accessible for those living nearby.

Myth #2: There Aren’t Any Trials Currently Happening That Apply to Me​

Unfortunately, you can’t always rely on your general practitioner or specialists to let you know when there’s a trial that could benefit you. Yes, many care providers do keep up with trials that are happening within their care niches. However, not all providers have the time to keep track of every upcoming trial. Others may be hesitant to make this kind of recommendation to patients.

If you’re curious about upcoming Canadian medical trials that you may be eligible to participate in, your doctor is certainly a great resource. Feel free to bring up the topic of finding a clinical trial. Your provider may have some special knowledge or access that can be used to help you move forward with a referral. Some other ways to find out about the latest clinical health trials in Canada include:

• Major hospital systems
• Research universities
• Local health charities
• Patient-advocacy organizations

Myth #3: Trial Participants Are Left Totally in the Dark About the Treatment They’re Receiving​

One misconception is that trial participants in Canada have no right to know the details of the treatments that will be administered to them. People assume that signing up for a trial with an “experimental” drug means that you agree to throw all ethics out the window. This could not be further from the truth!

While it’s true that some information is left confidential to protect the integrity of a trial, trial participants are provided with all of the essential information they need to make informed decisions. If you sign up for a clinical trial in Canada, the trial operator must specify both the purpose of the trial and the details of the trial to you in writing. You also have a right to ask for the information of the trial to be communicated to you. Next, you must carefully read over the information before providing your informed consent.

Myth #4: You Don’t Have Legal Rights Once You Enroll in a Clinical Trial​

Here’s a myth that’s contributing to enrollment issues in trials taking place around the country. It’s incorrect to assume that you are “signing your rights away” when you enroll in a clinical trial. You will still maintain all of your personal and legal rights. That includes the ability to walk away. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you are legally bound to go through with a clinical trial in Canada once you enroll as a participant. The truth is that you can change your mind. What’s more, you can change your mind for any reason without being required to provide a justification for your choice.

Professionals who run clinical trials are not interested in “forcing” anyone to participate against their will. Of course, they may ask you to complete an exit questionnaire or answer some questions about your experience as a way to gain an understanding of your experience. Depending on how far along you got in the trial, they may also ask you to participate in assessments or physical examinations in order to ensure a safe, healthy exit from the trial.

Myth #5: A Clinical Trial Needs to Be Your “Last Hope”

Clinical trials can be for healthy people. One of the most common misconceptions stopping Canadians from participating in clinical trials is that clinical trials are only for very sick or chronically ill people. They assume that one is only invited to enter into a trial when it involves a potentially life-saving treatment for a person who has exhausted all other treatment avenues. The truth is that some trials are ideal for people who are looking for an experimental treatment because they have run out of other options. This is the case with trials focused on treatments for very rare or very serious illnesses that do not have established and effective treatment protocols yet.

A clinical trial can certainly be an amazing opportunity for someone in this type of situation. However, clinical trials also need to enroll healthy people in order to learn more about the efficacy of medications and treatments for a wide range of health issues. Researchers throughout Canada routinely operate trials related to a wide range of interventions and outcomes. If you’re someone who is living with a condition or disease, you could be an ideal candidate for a clinical trial that investigates new protocols. You don’t necessarily need to be suffering daily or facing a terminal diagnosis to qualify. You may also simply be a reasonably healthy person who is fascinated by the idea of medical research. After all, there’s great pride in being able to say that you were part of a breakthrough in medicine that can potentially improve the lives of millions of people.

Myth #6: Clinical Trials Are Too Risky​

Have you been met with looks of concern after sharing with friends or family members that you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial? Many people falsely believe that clinical trials are dangerous. Clinical trials take place in carefully monitored environments. Nurses and other trained healthcare professionals are also present to monitor and assess participants at all steps of the trial. The reason why people assume that clinical trials are risky is that most people aren’t aware that the treatments and drugs being tested are far from “new.” While they may not have been thoroughly tested for human use yet, treatments that make it to trial have often been in development for several years. Some have been studied in laboratory environments for decades. That means that researchers are guided by data when designing trials.

Myth #7: Clinical Trials Are Unethical

In Canada, clinical trials are reviewed and approved by the national Research Ethics Board (REB). This process holds clinical trial operators to the strictest of standards! The goal of the REB is to ensure that each trial is performed as ethically as possible. The board looks at each trial from the perspective of protecting the legal, health, and psychological rights of every single participant at every single stage. The well-being of a participant never comes second to the outcome of the trial.

The REB carefully assesses each trial’s scientific validity to ensure it’s necessary and designed to minimize risks and maximize benefits. The review process includes scrutinizing the consent process for clarity and fairness in participant selection to prevent discrimination and ensure all have equal opportunity to benefit.

Once a trial begins, the REB’s oversight is relentless, monitoring data management and participant safety continuously. If ethical issues arise, the REB can alter protocols or even halt the study to protect participants. This vigilant oversight confirms, once again, that the well-being of participants is always placed above the research outcomes.

Myth #8: There’s No Oversight of Clinical Trials in Canada

Canada has some of the strictest regulatory practices for clinical trials in the world. The authority responsible for overseeing clinical trials in Canada is Health Canada (HC). The agency’s duties include:

• Clinical trial approvals
• Oversight of trials
• Inspections related to trials

Health Canada consists of a minister of health, deputy minister, associate deputy minister, and more than 11,000 employees. However, clinical trial operators actually have to get over another hurdle before they can even get into the position to be overseen by Health Canada. The country’s Guidance Document for Clinical Trial Sponsors: Clinical Trial Applications (G-CanadaCTApps) is used when granting permission for all clinical trials performed in the country. In addition to being used to grant permission for trials to be conducted, G-CanadaCTApps is also the guiding force in regulating the sale and import of all medicine used in clinical trials.

Final Thoughts on Addressing Misconceptions About Clinical Trials in Canada

Information is incredibly powerful when it comes to promoting a bright future full of medical breakthroughs that have the power to change lives. The amazing thing about medical trials in Canada is that they offer benefits in more than one way. For people who are entering trials out of a desire to treat or cure a condition or disease they are currently suffering with daily, there is the possibility to gain access to a medication or treatment that is not currently available on the market. This early access could make a true life-or-death difference for that person and their family.

For people who are entering trials out of a sheer fascination with medicine or a desire to help others, there’s the potential to be a part of a breakthrough that improves the lives of millions. At BioPharma Services, we are proud to be at the forefront of facilitating these opportunities, contributing to a healthier tomorrow by ensuring that each trial we conduct is held to the highest standards of safety and efficacy. Join us in advancing medical science and dispelling the myths that hinder progress.