Do you paticpate in clinical trials?

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I was wondering how common is it for a person to engage in study medication that has not been totally approved to be taken for a certain ailment or condition? I was asked by one of friends and I am not sure if I would want to do this for compensation and medication from the company while I would be in the research study. Yes, one is a placebo group and the other is the real thing. She does it to compensate her loss/lack of income and to get the prescription to help her with ailment. This is different from focus groups. All under medical supervision. I mean people do this all the time, but would you participate if you were deemed a candidate for the study and why? Some pay monthly, one time, and some pay nothing but free medical. What are your thoughts?