Clinical Trials Exclude High-Risk Patients, Underestimating Drug Harms

Summary

This research paper examines how clinical trials systematically exclude high-risk patients, leading to underestimation of drug harms and side effects. The study analyzes trial data to show that patients with comorbidities, older age, or other risk factors are often excluded from trials, which means real-world drug safety profiles differ significantly from trial results. This creates a gap between trial evidence and actual clinical practice, potentially putting vulnerable populations at greater risk.