Clinical Sample Collection

Ever wondered how the pharmaceutical companies test the drug before releasing it in the market? There are several stages of testing and observations for each drug that a pharmaceutical company develops. Conducting these studies within the lab (in vitro) and in living organisms (in vivo) is not all that simple. The in vitro processes do not need stringent protocols or planning. However, after submitting positive results, under the observation of experts, the medicine will step to the next phase, which is more complex and at times risky, i.e., testing the drug on animals and humans.
A pharmaceutical company will usually hire a contract research organization (CRO) to complete this phase. A CRO is a company that provides its services to the pharmaceutical firm, whether it is to conduct the testing on the subject or for preparing the intense paper work, which have to be filed adequately for the government’ s approval. CROs can take up the agreement with firms outside the country as well. This way, the pharmaceutical company can reduce the costs incurred by outsourcing the CROs services in an underdeveloped or developing country. This method is only employed to reduce the costs of making the drugs only and not to cheat or take advantage of the poorer countries. Hence, the tests are conducted in the supervision of the officials of the subcontracting country.