What does it mean to participate in Clinical Studies in NZ?

New Zealand Clinical Research (NZCR) is a leading early-phase clinical research provider. Our expert research team has conducted over 750 clinical studies in NZ involving more than 15,000 New Zealanders. With facilities in Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Auckland, clinical trials are being conducted daily to test investigative medicines.  For NZCR to do this research it needs healthy people and patients to join its research community.

Participating in a clinical trial in NZ or, in fact anywhere, can be a unique and complex experience for people. It can involve a range of emotions, physical experiences, and practical considerations. As a participant in a medical trial in NZ, here are some of the things you might experience:

• A sense of altruism: Many people choose to participate in clinical trials in NZ because they want to help advance medical knowledge and improve treatments for themselves and others.
• Personal satisfaction: For some people, participating in a clinical trial can provide a sense of personal satisfaction by contributing to the advancement of medical science and helping others.
• Hopefulness: For individuals with serious or chronic medical conditions, clinical trials can offer a glimmer of hope for improved health outcomes or even a cure.
• Anxiety or uncertainty: Participating in a medical trial can involve unknown risks and potential side effects, which can be unsettling for some people.
• Physical discomfort or inconvenience: Depending on the trial, participants may need to undergo various medical procedures, such as blood tests or scans, that can be uncomfortable or time-consuming.

Participating in a clinical trial can be a complex and challenging experience, but it can also provide an opportunity to contribute to medical research.

What are the benefits for the participant in being part of a clinical trial in NZ?

Participating in a clinical trial can offer several potential benefits for the participant, including:

• Advancing medical knowledge: By participating in a clinical trial, you are helping to advance medical knowledge which could improve treatments for others.
• You are for your involvement: We understand that participation in the clinical trial requires a time commitment and there may be monetary costs involved. Depending on the clinical trial, NZCR may pay you to participate and also reimburses you for reasonable expenses.  The reimbursement varies for each trial, based on time commitments and other factors.
• Close medical monitoring: Clinical trials typically involve frequent and thorough medical monitoring by experienced research physicians and nurses. This means that you will receive comprehensive medical attention including medications, treatments, health checks and laboratory tests, which can give you insight into your health.
• Access to potential new treatments: Clinical trials often test investigational treatments or medications that are not yet available to the general public. As a participant, you may have access to these treatments before they become widely available, which can be an appealing incentive for people with a condition for which the trial treatment is designed to treat.

Not all clinical trials will offer these benefits to participants, and there may be risks and potential downsides to participating as well. Whilst medical trials are closely supervised, it’s important to carefully consider the potential benefits and risks before deciding to participate in a clinical trial.

What are the risks for people taking part in clinical studies in NZ?

While participating in a clinical trial can have potential benefits, there are also some downsides that individuals should consider before deciding to participate:

• Side effects: Clinical trials involve testing investigative medications or treatments, which can have unknown or unexpected side effects. There is a potential you may experience adverse reactions, most of which are of a minor nature such as swelling, nausea or dizziness. If the side effect is serious, the medical supervisors may recommend discontinuing the treatment.
• Time and inconvenience: Clinical trials can be time-consuming and may require multiple visits to the trial site. Participants may need to take time off work or travel a distance to attend appointments.
• Uncertainty: Participants may be uncertain about whether they are receiving the actual treatment or a placebo. This uncertainty can be unsettling for some people.
• Loss of control: Participants may need to follow a strict protocol, including taking medications or following lifestyle changes, which can feel like a loss of control.
• Privacy concerns: Clinical trials involve the collection and sharing of personal health information, which could raise concerns for some individuals. NZCR strictly adheres to the Privacy Act 2020 in its use of personal information.

We recommend people carefully consider these potential downsides and discuss them with their family/whanau and healthcare provider before deciding to participate in a clinical trial. You should also ask questions about the trial’s goals, risks, and potential benefits to fully understand what you are agreeing to. Even if you agree to take part in a study, you have the right to discontinue at any time. NZCR’s regular medical monitoring and experienced research physicians and nurses ensure you are fully informed and looked after through your journey.

Your participation in a medical trial will make a difference and help us research investigative medicines which may change the lives of patients in NZ and around the world.

New Zealand Clinical Research is New Zealand’s largest and most experienced clinical research company, and we are committed to ensuring our clinical trial participants are fully informed and that their safety is our highest priority.