Who
can be involved in clinical trials?
All participants must meet the set
‘eligibility criteria’ for a particular trial.
These vary from one trial to another and take into account a range of
factors, including age, gender, the stage of the illness, other co-existing
medical conditions, previous treatment history etc. The factors that allow a person to
participate are sometimes called ‘inclusion criteria’. Factors that exclude a person are known as
‘exclusion criteria’. Trial participants
are volunteers and the screening process is rigorous - many who might like to
be involved may not be able to if they do not meet the criteria. Pregnant or breast-feeding women are usually
excluded.
