Drug therapy is essential in treating patients throughout various stages of renal disease. Drugs are used in many ways, such as to slow progression in early renal disease , maintain stable blood levels throughout the stages of chronic renal failure and to prevent rejection in transplant patients. In order to produce a drug that can be used as a routine medication, the drug has to go through very thorough testing/drug trials, often taking years, leading to a drug which is safe and suitable for use.

Many renal units in Australia and New Zealand have a person (often a nurse) who coordinates clinical drug trials. Other renal staff are often unsure what this job entails, just knowing that they have to take extra blood samples or do extra observations in a very particular way or at a specific time. However, these staff are participating in a clinical drug trial that may be very helpful for patients in the future.

This presentation will discuss how a drug proceeds through the phases from being tested on animals to being routinely used by renal patients. The role of the trial nurse/coordinator will also be discussed including data collection and ethical procedures which help ensure patient safety.

In keeping with this conference's theme, drug trials from the past and present, provide knowledge and safe medication for the future.