Back when I was in medical school, many male students participated in "healthy volunteer" studies (aka Phase I), and made a pretty penny. These studies, only open to males, assess the metabolism of a new drug in healthy people (which explains why many birth control pills or patches are first tested in guys). Fertile women are barred from joining such studies if concerns about drug effect on eggs or even unexpected pregnancy aren’t established. My female classmates and I had to earn our tuition the old fashioned way: by getting a job.
If you are healthy, and share a concern about a disease for which a drug or device is being developed, or simply want to earn a few bucks, such studies remain an essential first step in innovation in medicine. You can find out about ongoing drug and device Phase I testing on the Internet.
Back when I was in medical school, many male students participated
in "healthy volunteer" studies (aka Phase I), and made a pretty
penny. These studies, only open to males, assess the metabolism of
a new drug in healthy people (which...
More
Dr. Patricia Raymond answered:Back when I was in medical school, many male students participated in "healthy volunteer" studies (aka Phase I), and made a pretty penny. These studies, only open to males, assess the metabolism of a new drug in healthy people (which explains why many birth control pills or patches are first tested in guys). Fertile women are barred from joining such studies if concerns about drug effect on eggs or even unexpected pregnancy aren’t established. My female classmates and I had to earn our tuition the old fashioned way: by getting a job.
