Indian Drugs Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA), in collaboration with Association of Contract Research Organizations (ACRO) India and Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR), is organizing a panel discussion on 'Clinical Research in India: Where are we heading?' on September 12, 2012 at Royal Orchid, Mumbai.

Dr Rashmi Barbhaiya, CEO, Advinus Therapeutics will be the keynote speaker in the event. Medical directors/advisors, regulatory personnel, CRO CEOs/directors/personnel, investigators/practising clinicians, pharmacologists, medical/pharmacy students, clinical researchers and clinical research students will benefit from this day-long event.

The event is of significance as the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI) reported dramatic increase in multi-centre, multinational clinical trials in India around two years ago. This was on account of the trend of off-shore outsourcing of clinical trials from North America to Eastern Europe, India and China.

However, since the year 2011 Indian clinical industry is facing a significant lag phase. It might be due to various possible reasons. India is in the transition state per se. Regulatory approvals in India are taking around 6-9 months now a days and that do being really unpredictable.

Is all the negative hue and cry associated with clinical research really factual? In order to get to the bottom of the matter IDMA’s Medical Subcommittee, ACRO (India) & ISCR have decided to call for debate on the matter since the fate of the clinical research is now hanging on sword’s edge. Without progress in clinical research not only will the industry and personnel associated with it suffer but even the consumer in due course be deprived of newer drugs and combinations to manage their ailments more effectively.