post-marketing surveillance trial
(post-MAR-keh-ting ser-VAY-lents TRY-ul)
A type of clinical trial that studies the side effects caused over time by a new treatment after it has been approved and is on the market. These trials look for side effects that were not seen in earlier trials and may also study how well a new treatment works over a long period of time. Post-marketing surveillance trials may include thousands of people. Also called phase 4 clinical trial and phase IV clinical trial.