Inert medications, given to some in drug trials (8)

I believe the answer is:

placebos

(Other definitions for placebos that I've seen before include "Blase cop offering dummy cures" , "Inert medications, given in drug trials" , "Medications with no medicinal content" , "Inactive drugs" , "Useless drugs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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