Real-Life Math -- Solution
To determine the cost of the new trial, you'll need to consider all of the important factors.
Five participants are going to receive 1 dose of the drug.
5 participants x 1 dose each x $5 per dose = $25
Three participants will receive 2 doses of the drug.
3 participants x 2 doses each x $5 per dose = $30
Two participants will receive 3 doses.
2 participants x 3 doses x $5 per dose = $30
Total cost = $25 + $30 + $30
Total cost = $85
The new trial will cost $85.
How much more is that than the original trial?
Three participants would have received 1 dose of the drug.
3 participants x 1 dose each x $5 per dose = $15
One participant would have received 2 dosages of the drug.
1 participant x 2 doses each x $5 per dose = $10
One participant would have received 3 doses of the drug.
1 participant x 3 doses each x $5 per dose = $15
Total cost = $15 + $10 + $15
Total cost = $40
Cost difference = $85 - $40
Cost difference = $45
The difference between the costs of the 2 trials is $45.
"If you're going to process more patients in a clinical trial, there will generally be more costs," says Kathy Dunstan. She is a contracts coordinator with a hospital. She adds that most of the calculations aren't this simple, however. They often involve a series of charts and tables.