• Drug research projects may test the safety, efficacy or comparative benefits of a medication.Phil Ashley/Digital Vision/Getty Images
  
  Pharmaceutical companies utilize volunteers to test new drugs. The drugs must first have been tested on animals and determined as safe to use in humans. The test research goes to the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) for an evaluation and determination of efficacy and safety before it can be approved for general use. The CDER continues to monitor drugs for harmful side effects and other causes of concern following the approval process.
  
  

ClinicalTrials.gov

• This government agency, operating under the National Institutes of Health, is a registry of government and privately funded clinical trials. The registry contains information on trials conducted worldwide. You can search the database by physical condition, location, clinical sponsor and by drug intervention. On Oct. 25, 2010, the registry contained 97,722 trials in 174 countries. Participant requirements, purpose of the trial and contact information are included in the study information on the registry. ClinicalTrialFeeds is a news feed and updating service, which uses RSS to keep interested parties up-to-date on the latest clinical trials news. Access to the website provides all news items from the last 5 days.
  
  

CenterWatch.com

• This information clearinghouse offers information to prospective volunteers, health care providers, clinicians and the general public. You may access trial information by searching for a specific condition or therapeutic area. CenterWatch targets individuals who want to participate in clinical trials. Their "Patient Notification Service" allows individuals to enter information into a database so they can receive information about a clinical trial fitting their interest or need. The "Volunteering for Clinical Trials" page explains information what patients need to know before volunteering for a clinical trial.
  
  

Drug Research and Analysis Corporation

• This Montgomery, AL company has participated in clinical trials since 1978. The DRAC operates its own clinic and employs a full staff of physicians experienced in the clinical trial process. The medical specialties covered include oncology, infectious disease, gynecology, cardiology, urology and pediatrics. The staff also includes certified clinical investigators. DRAC has completed more than 600 clinical studies; more than 120 of the studies have been completed since 2001. In-patient and out-patient studies are on-going. A list of studies and requirements for participation is available by contacting DRAC directly.
  
  

Coastal Carolina Research Center

• The CCRC is a private clinical research facility similar to DRAC. CCRC was founded in 1997 and now has two operating locations in the Charleston, South Carolina metro area. As of 2010, they are involved in six clinical study projects. These projects include studies on diabetic blood glucose monitoring, irritable bowel syndrome, birth control, hot flashes, migraines and toenail fungus.