India needs clinical trials on new, existing drugs: MK Bhan

Efficacy, effects of a drug ascertained through chemical trials

Former secretary of department of biotechnology, MK Bhan, today said clinical trials on new and existing drugs were necessary in the larger interest of public health.

Referring to the recent reports about the death of scores of human volunteers for clinical trials in the country, Bhan said while it was essential for clinical research organisations and the drug firms to follow a strict ethical code in conducting these trials, any backlash on account of such unfortunate instances will adversely impact the cost of research as well as the drugs.

He said that Indian companies had also been conducting clinical trials on new molecules in other countries and not just here, and the same was the case with other multinational drug firms.

The efficacy and the effects of a drug cannot be ascertained if it is not subjected to the clinical trials and people will be denied of the benefits of new medicines, according to him.