New treatments for rheumatoid arthritis cannot be developed without the help from clinical trial participants, also known as volunteers. By making the decision to participate in a clinical trial, you are playing a key role in scientific research to help others with rheumatoid arthritis. Each clinical trial is different, but the information provided below can help you consider whether a clinical trial may be the right option for you.
What to Expect
Before joining a clinical trial, it is important for you to understand why the research is being carried out and what it will involve. You will be given information about the study. Please take the time to read it and ask any questions that you might have. This is part of a process known as informed consent. Taking part in a clinical trial is completely voluntary and you can leave the study at any time, without giving a reason. Visit our What to Expect page to learn more.
A clinical trial, also called a research study, tests to see if a medicine or treatment works and is safe. Clinical trials must be completed before a medicine or treatment can be approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and prescribed by a doctor. Being part of a clinical trial may help researchers find new ways of treating those with rheumatoid arthritis.
During a clinical trial, you may have access to specialized care from a research team. This team includes doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. During a clinical trial, you may:
Diverse Representation
Clinical trials may not always represent diverse communities. At Lilly, we are trying to change this to give everybody the chance to participate. We want to include people of all races, ages, ethnicities, genders, and body weights who may potentially benefit from taking part in a clinical trial. Genetic or physical differences between people can mean that some might react differently to a medicine or treatment. For these reasons, it is important to represent all people in clinical trials.
Participant Wellbeing
The wellbeing of participants is important to the medical professionals who conduct clinical trials. The main responsibility of the healthcare team who lead clinical trials is to care for participants. The people in this team may have unfamiliar titles like Principal Investigators or Study Coordinators but they are also doctors, nurses, and trained researchers. This means that they are trained to look after your safety and health. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as well as other regulatory bodies also have safety guidelines in place to protect people who take part in clinical trials.
Cost and Possible Compensation
For most clinical trials, the study medicine is provided, and visits are conducted at no cost to the participant. However, this is not the case for all trials.
Some clinical trials reimburse people who take part in clinical trials for their time and travel. These reimbursements, if any, tend to vary based upon the phase of the trial and type of visit. Any costs or reimbursements will be fully explained to participants before deciding to join a clinical trial during the informed consent process.
Impact and Results
Participants, also known as volunteers, are at the center of clinical trials. Research for new medicines and treatments is not possible without the contribution that these volunteers make by participating in a clinical trial. At Lilly, we are deeply grateful to the volunteers that make clinical trials possible.
Lilly makes clinical trial results available to the public. You can view the results of clinical trials here.
Lilly Trial Connect
Answer a few questions using Lilly Trial Connect to find which Lilly trials may be the best fit for you or your loved one.
Answer a few questions using Lilly Trial Connect to find which Lilly trials may be the best fit for you or your loved one.
Helping People with Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this article, learn more about Lilly's partnering with "CreakyJoints" to better undertsand how the daily lives of people living with arthirtis and rheumatic disease can be affected. The findings of this study has increased Lilly's understanding of the needs of people affected by arthritis. Read the Article
In this article, learn more about Lilly's partnering with "CreakyJoints" to better undertsand how the daily lives of people living with arthirtis and rheumatic disease can be affected. The findings of this study has increased Lilly's understanding of the needs of people affected by arthritis. Read the Article
The Complexity of Pain
In this episode, former host of The Elixir Factor Podcast, Joe Kim, talks to Seth Ginsberg, a health policy advocate and co-founder of the first online patient community for people suffering from arthritis, "CreakyJoints". Joe also talks to one of our own Lilly scientists, Dr. Mark Mintun, about why pain has proven to be such a challenging area to research. Listen to the Podcast
In this episode, former host of The Elixir Factor Podcast, Joe Kim, talks to Seth Ginsberg, a health policy advocate and co-founder of the first online patient community for people suffering from arthritis, "CreakyJoints". Joe also talks to one of our own Lilly scientists, Dr. Mark Mintun, about why pain has proven to be such a challenging area to research. Listen to the Podcast