Govt to set up panel on clinical trials

The committee comprises Dr A S Aravind, chief operating officer, Clinigene International Limited, a clinical research organisation and Dr Mahabaleshwara Mayya, a physician and cardiologist with experience in clinical trials. It will formulate and submit its recommendations in two months time, after which, it will be discussed with the Chief Minister, chief secretary and law department. A policy with legislative powers will be framed later, the minister said. The Government will soon set up generic drug centres in all 22 medical colleges and hospitals, where generic drugs will be sold at 50 per cent less than the market rate. The medicines will be supplied at a cheaper rate after a direct tie-up with pharma companies for the benefit of the poor patients, the minister said.