If a new drug is to be studied properly the investigation must be approached systematically. After adequate laboratory observations have been completed, the most important studies required are those related to clinical pharmacodynamics and probable therapeutic applications. It is after these studies have been completed that an attempt should be made to quantitate therapeutic results, utilizing such methods as doubleblind studies, and then only in those indications where the drug appears to be of therapeutic value. After all, it is pointless to study a drug, using a double-blind technique or any other method, if initial screening studies indicate that the drug has little or no therapeutic value within a safe, tolerable dosage range.
Double-blind studies are most useful for evaluating the effects of drugs that are only moderately potent and notably when objective tests of therapeutic efficacy are not available. This is particularly true of drugs used by the neuropsychiatrist,
JOHN H. MOYER. The Psychosomatic Problem in Drug EvaluationThe Importance of Studying Pharmacodynamics and Establishing Effective Dosage Schedules. AMA Arch Intern Med. 1956;98(5):608–616. doi:10.1001/archinte.1956.00250290068008