How Do Epidemiologists Assess the Impact of Pharmaceuticals?

Epidemiologists utilize various methods to assess the impact of pharmaceuticals, including observational studies, clinical trials, and surveillance data. Observational studies, such as cohort and case-control studies, are used to identify associations between drug use and health outcomes. Clinical trials offer a more controlled environment to test the efficacy and safety of new drugs. Surveillance data helps monitor the long-term effects of pharmaceutical interventions on a population level.