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For assessment and disease management apart from a clinical trial a referral from your family physician to Dr. Frank Anderson is required. You may also contact the LAIR Centre and talk with one of the study nurses. The nurse will ask preliminary questions and if it seems that you might be suitable for a clinical trial an appointment will be arranged.
See Contact Us.
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You will first be assessed, provided with education, counseling, and appropriate procedures (such as blood work, liver biopsy, endoscopy, x-rays, etc) will be arranged as appropriate. If participation in a clinical trial seems possible you will have the trial explained to you by a nurse or a physician and you will be given a copy of the Patient Informed Consent Form that explains the study in detail. You will have ample time to read the consent form, discuss it with your family, and ask any questions that you might have. You may enter a clinical trial only after you have read, understood, and signed the Patient Informed Consent Form. Following this you will be given an appointment for the screening visit.
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Participation provides access to the newest treatment options for your illness, particularly if you have not responded to standard available treatments.
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Yes, there may be adverse effects from the study drug and you will be carefully monitored to detect and manage any adverse events that might occur. It is also possible that the new drug will not work for you. In some studies you may receive a placebo (non-drug inactive substance), at least for some of the study period.
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A. A Phase I study tests the body’s handling of the new drug as well as the safety in healthy persons without disease. A Phase II study determines the safety and effectiveness of the new drug in a small number of persons with the disease. A Phase III trial tests whether the drug is effective in a larger number of patients as well as further assessing the safety of the drug.
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A. Inclusion criteria determine the nature of symptoms and the extent of the illness for which the new drug has been developed. Exclusion criteria are those conditions that make it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the drug or that might be adversely affected by the new drug. An exclusion criterion for example may state that women who are pregnant or may become pregnant cannot participate in the study.
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A. The LAIR Centre is located at Suite 305 - 750 West Broadway, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
See Contact Us.
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A. Yes, you may participate but you will need to attend the Centre for the initial assessment and for a number of monitoring visits during the study and the follow-up period. The requirement for travel makes it difficult for some patients to be included in the study. Patients from rural communities who are not part of a study can be followed and their treatment managed through a ‘close to home’ multidisciplinary approach that is set up and arranged through the LAIR Centre.
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For research trials there are no costs involved other than time away from work and travel expenses. Travel expenses and miscellaneous expenses may be reimbursed. For treatment other than research trials you are responsible for the cost, however, we will assist in obtaining Special Authority from Pharmacare if applicable.
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Some drugs are expensive. A Special Authority grants partial to full coverage if the eligibility criteria for that drug has been met. The cost to the individual is based on Fair Pharmacare. Fair Pharmacare is a medication coverage program based on income. All B.C. residents must apply for Fair Pharmacare. You can find more information at www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca
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Pharmacare will have a set of criteria for a therapy/drug that must be met in order to gain coverage under Special Authority. Pharmacare has a list of Special Authority programs on their web site and the latest information on Special Authority medications and criteria for approval can be accessed through PharmaNet HelpDesk at 1-800-554-0250.
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Clinical trials may last from a few months to three or four years. Most clinical trials, however, last approximately one year.
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A. The LAIR Centre has many ongoing trials and new trials are started frequently. Our present trials are listed on the Website and new trials will be posted once the study is ready to start. You may want to bookmark (hit Control + D on your keyboard) the LAIR website and check periodically for new additions.
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1. How do I get referred to the LAIR Centre?