What should be the focus of training programs in clinical research?
The generation of human capital in this area is based on the interaction between the industry, the CROs, Drug Control Organization and the academic institutes. The training programs have to fit in with the needs of the CROs. The institutes should emphasize on educating students about the practical aspects of training. And since clinical research is an expanding area, it is required to modify the curriculum from time to time to suit the industry requirements.

Is there a dearth of trained people in this area?
At present there is a huge gap between the requirement of trained personnel and the number of skilled people available. To add to that, there is a very high attrition rate and the number of people in the industry just keep circulating. Currently there is an immediate requirement of about 10,000 people in the area of clinical research in the industry. There is a need for many more training institutes to come up, but the quality of training imparted along with the presence of a suitably qualified faculty is crucial.

The future of clinical research in India is very bright, especially after India's adherence to the TRIPS agreement. Not only in India but internationally too, there is a dearth of trained manpower in this sector.

What are the courses that ICRI offers in this area?
The Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI) was conceived with the objective of providing skilled manpower to the clinical research segment. It has a campus in Dehradun, which provides post-graduate diploma in clinical research, regulatory affairs and related areas. The first batch of 120 students is presently pursuing their postgraduate studies at the campus. The institute inaugurated its Mumbai campus in December 2004. The Mumbai branch offers one-year part time certificate programs in clinical research and trial management and regulatory affairs and ethics in clinical trial management. At our institute we combine the practical and theoretical aspects of the training, with an internship of six months during the last semester of the two-year course.

Rolly Dureha