Clinical research boom in Gujarat spikes demand for trained personnel

With the clinical research industry in the state registering a robust growth in the last two-three years, clinical research students in the Gujarat have a reason to cheer.

The Institute of Clinical Research (India) Ahmedabad campus has been able to place 78 students of 2007-09 batch within the state this time. Of the total batch strength of 88 students, 10 did not opt for placements. R S Dugal, chairman of ICRI is optimistic about this growth rate sustaining in the years to come. He said, "At least 14-15 clinical research organisations(CROs) have come up in the state in the last three years, and many more Mumbai based CROs are looking at setting up sites in and around Ahmedabad. This has boosted the employment potential of the state manifold. Around 2000-3000 post graduate clinical research students would be required here now, and if we take into account the total number of doctors, chartered accountants, nurses, laboratory and other support stuff, the demand would rise to around 30,000-35,000 easily", Dugal said.

At least 70-80 sites for clinical research have come up here recently and each site requires around 25-30 people, according to Dugal. Not only sites, Gujarat has recently seen a number of Central Laboratories set up by big ticket multinational firms. Synchron has set up a central laboratory here in Ahmedabad.

Even Baroda, Rajkot, Nadiad and Anand have come up as prominent clinical research destinations and sites for oncology, endocrinology and hypertension related research and trials.

Duggal added, "While currently there is a huge demand for trained manpower, the supply is poor. Also, we expect that there would be a surge in more data management and bio-statistics related work outsourcing. The state government is also serious now, and the Gujarat University is soon to start a clinical research course to address this demand surge". The size of the clinical research industry in the state is around $100 million, Dugal said.