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Phase IV Clinical Trials

Meaning

Phase IV Clinical Trials, also known as post-marketing surveillance trials, are conducted after a drug has been approved by a regulatory authority like the FDA and is available for general public use. The primary purpose of this phase is to monitor the long-term safety, effectiveness, and optimal use of the drug in a large, diverse patient population under real-world conditions. These studies are crucial for detecting rare or delayed adverse effects, identifying new indications, and comparing the drug’s performance against competing therapies.