We therefore need a robust, regulatory framework that ensures that clinical research is conducted in a fair and transparent manner, safeguarding the interests of patients while keeping in line with the basic tenets of science is the need of the hour. The National Health Policy under consideration by the new government must take into consideration the value that clinical research can play in improving the health indices of our country.
We also believe in the need to create a sound clinical research ecosystem that encourages local research and innovation. Global trends have highlighted the positive correlation between growth of the clinical research industry and biopharma innovation. A slowdown in the growth of the clinical research industry is detrimental to the culture of biopharma innovation that the government of India is trying to drive and encourage and could represent a lost opportunity for our researchers and scientists. There are several biopharma companies, not for profit organisations, and teaching and medical institutions in the country interested in doing industry-leading and valuable research for diseases that affect our populations. We need to encourage such innovation and not deter the scientific and medical community from continuing in the quest to find safer and more effective treatment for our disease burden.
A focus areas of the new ministry is public health education and awareness. We need to foster an environment where patients participating in clinical research and investigators doing clinical research do not do so in fear of its consequences. Public health education on the value of clinical research and the rights and responsibilities of patients is much needed to address the misinformation and negative perceptions that exist about the clinical research process.
The Health Policy must also address the issue of infrastructure and capacity building in the area of clinical research.
– Suneela Thatte, President, ISCR