In the 10 October 2008 issue, Science explores the increasingly complex clinical trials landscape. News stories report on the growing costs of moving drugs from lab to market, the expansion of clinical trials overseas, efforts to make clinical data more accessible, balancing male and female participation in trials, and new interventions designed to prevent heart disease. An online video presentation discusses progress in regulating and testing medicines for children, and a podcast segment highlights some of the current challenges of conducting clinical trials including rising costs, complicated paperwork, and poor management.

In Science

INTRODUCTION Lemons, Oranges, and Complexity  Eliot Marshall Video: Pediatric Medicines -- Prescribing Drugs "Off-Label"  Robert Frederick NEWS Spiraling Costs Threaten Gridlock  David Malakoff Allegations of Waste: The 'Seeding' Study  David Malakoff The Promise and Pitfalls of Clinical Trials Overseas  Dennis Normile Making Clinical Data Widely Available  Jocelyn Kaiser Women Abound in NIH Trials  Constance Holden Cholesterol Veers Off Script  Jennifer Couzin

Online Extras Video Feature Online only: A video progress report by Science podcast editor Robert Frederick on regulating and testing medicines for kids. Podcast The 10 October Science Podcast includes an interview with writer David Malakoff on the challenges besetting clinical trials. [More podcasts]