| Once a drug is approved and made commercially available,
research on the drug enters phase IV. During this phase, research is mainly aimed at:
-
spotting possible undesirable side-effects associated
with long-term use by a large number of patients;
-
extending use of the drug to different classes of patients,
such as children, for example;
-
| Duration: several years These studies analyze the reactions of millions
of patients around the world |
finding new therapeutic opportunities or new
formulations that may increase the effectiveness
of the drug and
allow it to be administered to a larger
number of patients;
-
demonstrating that the benefits of treatment
justify the reimbursement of the cost
of the drug by public
and private
health insurance programmes.
These studies are in part required
by the regulatory
authorities.
|
