"India must become an active centre for ethical clinical research and 'Health India' which emphasizes a collaborative approach by all disciplines of medicine should be our vision," said distinguished academician and clinical pharmacologist, Padmashree Prof. Ranjit Roy Chaudhury. He spoke as Guest of Honour at 'Research at Crossroads', the 7th Annual Conference being held by Indian Society of Clinical Research in Bangalore. Prof Chaudhury shared the fundamental features of his report 'Professor Ranjit Roy Chaudhury Expert Committee to Formulate Policy and Guidelines for Approval of New Drugs, Clinical Trials and Banning of Drugs'. Underlying the recommendations was the need to ensure a fair, transparent and honest framework that would build credibility for clinical research amongst the public. He also highlighted the need to create awareness about the contribution and value of ethically conducted research to healthcare.

Prof Chaudhury acknowledged the support and contribution of ISCR towards developing the regulatory framework for clinical research. He hoped that in the near future, India would develop a transparent regulatory system for better management and conduct of clinical research in India and that there would be greater interaction between academia and industry.

On the occasion, ISCR released the 'ISCR Code for Conduct of Clinical Research in India'. The 12 point patient-centric code applicable to all ISCR members reinforces their commitment to ethical, scientific and regulatory compliance while engaging in any clinical research activities.

Earlier, Suneela Thatte, President, ISCR, stressed on the need to develop a clinical research agenda in India given the country's huge disease burden. 'India's emergence as a knowledge and innovation hub cannot happen without commitment to research and development. Affordable healthcare can only become a reality when patients benefit through local innovation,' she said.

The inaugural session also had Dr Rebecca Li, Executive Director, MRCT Center at Harvard who spoke about the need to have all stakeholders involved in the regulatory process to ensure that clinical research in India develops to the potential it showed a few years ago.