What is the primary purpose of FDA drug testing phases?

The primary purpose of FDA drug testing phases is to ensure safety and efficacy. This rigorous multi-phase process is designed to evaluate potential new medications through a series of clinical trials before they can be approved for public use. During these phases, drugs undergo extensive testing to determine their safety profile, identify any side effects, and establish that they effectively treat the conditions they are intended to address.

Phase I trials focus on safety, typically involving a small group of healthy volunteers to identify any adverse effects. Phase II trials expand the group and begin to assess the drug’s efficacy, while Phase III trials involve larger populations to confirm efficacy, monitor side effects, and compare the new drug to commonly used treatments.

The FDA’s thorough evaluation during these phases is crucial in protecting public health, ensuring that only safe, effective, and high-quality medications are available to patients. Other options presented, such as establishing marketing strategies, reducing costs, or complying with international regulations, are not the primary focus of the drug testing phases and do not reflect the core objectives of the FDA’s mandate.