JOIN USPanel to seek information on clinical trials
The institutions should also explain the protocol followed to conduct trials. The committee comprising Dr Mahabaleshwara Maiya and Dr A S Arvind, held its first meeting in Bangalore on Monday. Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas too was present in the meeting.
The Minister told Deccan Herald that the Government was clueless on the clinical trials taken up by institutions and individuals in the State.
Reframe rules
“We have decided to send mails/letters to all institutions seeking details to get a clear picture. The authority to monitor clinical trials rests with the Centre. We will seek delegation of power to the State,” Ramdas added.
He said about 42 institutions could be conducting clinical trials in the State. Dr Arvind, a member of the committee, said there was no need to reframe rules as the present ones were enough to safeguard the interests of the institutions conducting clinical trials or the subjects of research. The need of the hour is to monitor compliance, he noted.
“Of the 150 clinical trial agencies in the country, about 20 companies conduct 80 per cent of the trials. India may hardly account for two per cent of the clinical trials, globally. Karnataka has been playing a significant role with trials being carried out in Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore. What’s required is to ensure that trials are referred to ethics committee either within the institution or outside. No patient should be exploited”, Arvind said.
He added that the committee would require about three months to complete its tasks. Dr Maiya, another member, said there were a good number of rules governing clinical trials and monitoring was the need of the hour.