The Delhi-based Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI) is planning to introduce part time courses in clinical research management for medical, pharmacy professionals / life science graduates soon.

The one-year Professional Certificate Programme in Clinical Research and Trial Management and One-year Professional Certificate Programme in Regulatory Affairs and Ethics in Clinical Research Management are to be of extreme use to professionals who are already working in related areas of clinical research, Dr S K Gupta, dean ICRI & former head, Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) informed.

Speaking to pharmabiz, Dr Gupta said that the first-of-its-kind professional courses started by ICRI had been well accepted by Indian pharmaceutical industry. "Our institute offers full time MBA + PG Diploma programmes in Clinical Research and related areas. More than 120 students have already joined the programmes. The core structure of ICRI is designed to cater to the needs of both a novice willing to step into this arena as well as professionals having some experience in the industry," he explained.

Dr Gupta predicts a demand for 20,000 full time staff and 30,000 site-staff in the clinical research segment within next six years. In the absence of qualified personnel in this segment, there is going to be great demand for such services, he feels.

The institute is planning to organize a two-day national conference on Clinical Research - Challenges and Opportunities in India on November 26th and 27th at Indian National Science Academy, Delhi. The conference will be of use to all professionals aspiring to grow up as clinical research coordinators, CR associates, project managers, quality assurance managers, regulatory affairs and CR managers, he said.

Dr Neelima Kshirsagar, dean, G S Medical College, Mumbai, Ashwini Kumar, Drugs Controller General of India, Dr C M Gupta, CDRI, Lucknow, Prof. M U R Naidu, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Dr Neelanjan Saha, Ranbaxy, Dr Durga Gadgil, Cadilla Pharma etc are among the confirmed list of speakers, he informed.