The Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) sees that it would take another few months for the human study regulations to be enforced. The stalling of clinical trials has impacted in sector in terms of revenues generation, hiring freeze and a sense of uncertainty for the industry.

As the two-day ISCR 7th annual conference is being held from January 10 and 11, 2013 in Bengaluru, its members hoped to see that 2014 would help carry out more clinical researches happening in the country.

According to Suneela Thatte, president, ISCR, the Indian clinical research industry is now hoping that regulations will be put in place at the earliest. At the 7th annual conference we would deliberate to provide more clarity and direction to clinical research professionals on how we can continue the quest of better medicines, innovation and discovery without which patients cannot be impacted.

With companies opting to move their clinical research to other countries, patients suffering from life threatening and debilitating diseased would not have access to new therapies. We hope that 2014, would bring renewed hope for these patients, she added.

According to Dr Suresh Menon, executive committee member, ISCR, who also chairs its regulatory countil said ample efforts have been done including having a dialogue with the government over nine meetings. There is need for explicit clarity in governance and India has taken the right step begin work  on formulation of guidelines.

Highlighting the current scene of clinical research in India, Dr Arun Bhatt, executive committee member ISCR said that there are lots of misconceptions and erroneous allegations made about clinical research.

Dr Prem Pais, Professor of Medicine, and Head, division, of clinical research and training, St. John’s Research Institute said that those who formulate the rules on clinical research will need to know the science of clinical research. The great advances in modern drugs  have taken place only because of the clinical trials which are seen to provide new and effective treatments to patients and saving lives.