YDNTK =You Don't Need To Know.

Remember when I was telling you about research studies and how you might not know if you are in one or not (a few blog posts back)? Sounds unreal - could not possibly be true, could it?  I think I found one for you, and one right here in Coeur d'Alene on some unsuspecting outpatient(s). Click on locations and you will see the research sites. This is research on a drug called bifeprunox. It is an antipsychotic used for schizophrenia.  However, I don't know why it was terminated. Maybe they gained too much weight or they died? Who knows?

The kicker? They have to try it on healthy individuals to make sure it is safe, so you might not know and your doctor might not either. That study is here.  Double blind studies are conducted to make sure there is no bias and the drug company can pass it off - eventually to the public. What may have happened to the 144 healthy subjects vs. the diagnosed outpatient(s) will come out later in published results that you will probably never see unless you order the actual study. No bias there - since the pharmacuetical company sponsored it. Right? Consider yourself a "human subject" aka "guinea pig" once you are under the care of a physician. Check your insurance, it might be part of the policy as well. Personally, I think it is an unwarranted invasion of privacy but you have no choice because it is legal. If they cannot reasonably expect to get your consent then the reason (like safety) supercedes your right to know. I believe placebo studies are unethical. Why not just be up front? It works or it doesn't work, why test it against something you know does not? Just crazy. But then, what you don't know, won't hurt you, right? You just never know, maybe that new drug will relieve the pain in your hip? Try this sample, now!

Besides, what everyday person would concern themselves with such bunk? ME! I take charge of my health care, and I will be damned if I get stuck taking some freakish antipyschotic and not know it.

If you are interested in other studies, there are lots of them and some of them are good ones. This link provides you with over 700 studies being conducted in Idaho.