The US based 40-year-old Drug Information Association (DIA) may start an Indian chapter and office by next year, considering the increased activities in the field of drug discovery and clinical trials in India.

At present the DIA, claimed to be the single largest professional association of approximately 20,000 members worldwide in the field of drug discovery and development, regulation, surveillance or marketing of pharmaceutical or related products, has only two offices outside the USA at Japan and Switzerland.

Marlynn Orlando, assistant executive director, DIA, said a proposal on this would be submitted to the DIA head office by December. "If accepted, an Indian chapter could be opened by next year. We have initiated discussions on starting an Indian chapter with some of the Indian professionals and they are keen to realize it" Marlynn told Pharmabiz on the sidelines of a press meet announcing the three day international conference on Drug Discovery and Clinical Development in India: Opportunities and Challenges, to be held from 16-18, October in Mumbai.

DIA had conducted a conference in New Delhi last year and the Drug Discovery conference in Mumbai is being organised in association with the Biomedical Consulting International and the Institute of Clinical Research (India). The plans are to make the conference an annual event in India.

She said DIA's presence could give a boost to the drug discovery and clinical trial activities in India as the association could help the Indian industry update and adopt the latest global standards through its educational programmes. A non-profit organization, DIA has been reviewed and approved as an 'Authorized Provider' by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), Washington, she said.