Clinical studies

A drug becomes available to patients as the result of a long and complex process (14 years on average). It can be developed in an academic research centre or in a pharmaceutical company. At the end of this process, approximately one investigated medicinal product in ten is granted marketing authorisation. The development of a drug takes place in a number of steps. In each step, specific questions are asked and aspects are assessed.

Before a medicinal product is placed on the market, it is analysed in non-clinical or pre-clinical studies to determine its mode of action and toxicity. It is then tested on animals. When, after all these non-clinical studies, the balance of benefits and risks of the medicinal product is positive, clinical trials may be carried out on humans. These studies test the medication’s efficacy, examine the effects and compare them with existing drugs or with a placebo and identify side effects.

For more information, please visit www.klinischeproeven.be.

If you qualify for a clinical study, your physician will give you more information about this. This way you can decide whether to participate on the basis of all the available information.

You can participate voluntarily and you can stop whenever you want. You do not have to give an explanation for this. And it will not have an influence on your subsequent treatment or relationship with your physician.

Your participation is voluntary. You can stop whenever you wish.

You can find an overview of the active clinical studies at Maria Middelares General Hospital here:

• Medical Oncology and Haematology
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiology
• Surgery

All ongoing clinical studies have been pre-approved by the Ethics Committee of Maria Middelares General Hospital.

Please contact the Innovation and Research representative on +32 9 246 28 20 or by e-mail.