About Us PRA Trials (Tomorrows Medicine Today)

F.A.Q.

Why should I participate in a clinical trial?
Clinical trial volunteers are an essential part of medical research. By participating in a clinical trial, you will contribute to the discovery of therapies that may one day relieve or eliminate an illness. In addition, you will receive personal and specialized medical attention from our physicians and clinical staff, as well as free medical tests and study medication.
What are the risks and benefits of clinical trials?
The potential risks and benefits vary from trial to trial. However, if you are interested in volunteering for a specific study potential risks and benefits will be explained to you prior to your consent to participate. You will also be able to ask any questions or concerns you have that are not addressed.
How are clinical trials monitored?
Clinical trials are rigorously regulated. As with any new medication or surgical procedure, treatments are first studied thoroughly in the laboratory. If basic research establishes that a new method or chemical seems likely to succeed safely and effectively in patients, it can be submitted for approval for a clinical trial. Not only must the submission meet regulatory guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is then submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), a panel of scientists, researchers and representatives in the community who additionally approve the proposal for safety and ethical issues. Aside from reviewing the scientific basis for the trial, as well as its safety and efficacy (the ability of the treatment or drug to produce its intended effect), the IRB gives serious consideration to the proposed trial's "informed consent" - the document that physicians give to patients explaining the trial and its potential risks. All clinical trials must have a protocol, or action plan, which describes in detail what will be done in the study, how it will be conducted and why the various portions are necessary.
Will I be compensated for my participation?
Yes, PRA Trials provides compensation for your time and travel for all of our studies. Some studies also provide transportation on a case by case basis.
Is referral from my physician required for participation in a clinical trial?
No, you do not need a referral. It is up to you to decide if you wish to participate or not. However, participants are usually encouraged to discuss participation in the study with their own physician and their family. In order to participate in a clinical research trial, you will be evaluated by the medical staff conducting the study to determine if you meet all the medical criteria. If you are eligible, the details of the trial will be explained to you.
Can clinical research trial participants see their regular doctor?
Yes. Clinical research trials do not replace normal health care. In fact, study coordinators, with participants' permission, may update the study participants' personal doctors regularly.
How long do visits last?
It depends on the clinical trial. You would be provided this information once you have qualified for a particular study.
What are your Hours?
We are able to take your calls 7 days a week 24hrs a day. Our clinic hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm but we can work with your schedule if needed.
Can clinical research trial participants leave a trial?
Yes, research study participants may leave the trial at any time for any reason. If you choose to leave the study, you will have the chance to discuss other treatments and care with your own doctor or a doctor from the study.
What if I have a problem?
If you have any type of questions or problems, during our clinic hours you can contact us and a research associate or staff physician will be able to assist you. After our clinic hours, you can reach the answering service that will be able to page our physicians who are available to you 7 days a week 24hrs a day.
What questions should be asked about a clinical research trial?
The following questions might be helpful in discussing a clinical research trial.
- What is the purpose of the trial?
- What kind of tests and research treatments are involved?
- What is likely to happen in my case with, or without, this new research treatment?
- What are alternative treatment options and their advantages?
- How will participating in the study affect my daily life?
- Can I continue to take my regular medications during the study?
- What other choices do I have?
- What type of long-term follow-up care is part of this study?
- What side affects might I expect form the study?
- How long will the study last?



*04/28/07* Cure Autism Now walk. We are proud to be participating in a great fund raiser for children with autism. We are excited not only to be a part of the Autism walk which raises money for autism research and support in the U.S. but we are also going to be handing out free prizes, puppets, pens and flyers with information about our new Autism study. We are leading the way to help better understand Autism with a trial of an investigational medication that may help with serious behavioral problems, specifically irritability, tantrums, agitation, and self-injurious behavior in children and adolescents between the ages of 6-17 years old that are diagnosed with Autism. *04/20/07* View our new insomnia advertisement that will be playing in our local movie theater. For 2 months we will be running our Insomnia advertisement in the local thearters (Regal The Avenues 13). If you have trouble sleeping or know someone who does please feel free to give us a call. *04/19/07* New African American asthma study that involves no placebo. We are now enrolling for a African American asthma study which involves comparing two FDA approved asthma medications at varying doses for 1 year. Today asthma is extreamly prevalent in African American communities and is due to a lack of access to medications and a lack of understanding of peoples level of asthma, what causes it, and how you can help manage it with and without medications. For More Information Call Us At (310) 265-1623	F.A.Q. Why should I participate in a clinical trial? Clinical trial volunteers are an essential part of medical research. By participating in a clinical trial, you will contribute to the discovery of therapies that may one day relieve or eliminate an illness. In addition, you will receive personal and specialized medical attention from our physicians and clinical staff, as well as free medical tests and study medication. What are the risks and benefits of clinical trials? The potential risks and benefits vary from trial to trial. However, if you are interested in volunteering for a specific study potential risks and benefits will be explained to you prior to your consent to participate. You will also be able to ask any questions or concerns you have that are not addressed. How are clinical trials monitored? Clinical trials are rigorously regulated. As with any new medication or surgical procedure, treatments are first studied thoroughly in the laboratory. If basic research establishes that a new method or chemical seems likely to succeed safely and effectively in patients, it can be submitted for approval for a clinical trial. Not only must the submission meet regulatory guidelines established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is then submitted to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), a panel of scientists, researchers and representatives in the community who additionally approve the proposal for safety and ethical issues. Aside from reviewing the scientific basis for the trial, as well as its safety and efficacy (the ability of the treatment or drug to produce its intended effect), the IRB gives serious consideration to the proposed trial's "informed consent" - the document that physicians give to patients explaining the trial and its potential risks. All clinical trials must have a protocol, or action plan, which describes in detail what will be done in the study, how it will be conducted and why the various portions are necessary. Will I be compensated for my participation? Yes, PRA Trials provides compensation for your time and travel for all of our studies. Some studies also provide transportation on a case by case basis. Is referral from my physician required for participation in a clinical trial? No, you do not need a referral. It is up to you to decide if you wish to participate or not. However, participants are usually encouraged to discuss participation in the study with their own physician and their family. In order to participate in a clinical research trial, you will be evaluated by the medical staff conducting the study to determine if you meet all the medical criteria. If you are eligible, the details of the trial will be explained to you. Can clinical research trial participants see their regular doctor? Yes. Clinical research trials do not replace normal health care. In fact, study coordinators, with participants' permission, may update the study participants' personal doctors regularly. How long do visits last? It depends on the clinical trial. You would be provided this information once you have qualified for a particular study. What are your Hours? We are able to take your calls 7 days a week 24hrs a day. Our clinic hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm but we can work with your schedule if needed. Can clinical research trial participants leave a trial? Yes, research study participants may leave the trial at any time for any reason. If you choose to leave the study, you will have the chance to discuss other treatments and care with your own doctor or a doctor from the study. What if I have a problem? If you have any type of questions or problems, during our clinic hours you can contact us and a research associate or staff physician will be able to assist you. After our clinic hours, you can reach the answering service that will be able to page our physicians who are available to you 7 days a week 24hrs a day. What questions should be asked about a clinical research trial? The following questions might be helpful in discussing a clinical research trial. What is the purpose of the trial? What kind of tests and research treatments are involved? What is likely to happen in my case with, or without, this new research treatment? What are alternative treatment options and their advantages? How will participating in the study affect my daily life? Can I continue to take my regular medications during the study? What other choices do I have? What type of long-term follow-up care is part of this study? What side affects might I expect form the study? How long will the study last?