Committee set up to advise on clinical trials

BANGALORE: The state government has constituted a two-member committee to advise it on the effective regulation of clinical trials in Karnataka.Addressing the press here on Wednesday, Minister for Medical Education S A Ramadas said that a committee comprising Dr S A Aravind, former researcher with Biocon, and Dr Mahabaleshwara Maiyya, noted physician and cardiologist, has been asked to submit a report in this regard within three months.The committee would also suggest reforms in the existing procedures in clinical trials."Based on the report, we will enact a legislation that will regulate clinical trials," the minister added.No uniform policyOver 5,000 clinical trials are being conducted in India annually. Unfortunately, a uniform policy to regulate these trials are not in place, in stark contrast to the existing system in developed countries that have standard operating procedures for all stakeholders persons undergoing clinical trials, researchers and drug manufacturers, Ramadas detailed.Generic storesIn order to provide medicines at subsidised rates to poor patients, the state government has decided to open generic drug stores in 22 government run medical institutions, including district hospitals, for which, he stated, several generic drug manufacturers have expressed interest.These shops are expected to start functioning in three months, he added.On the shortage of doctors in government hospitals and primary health centres, the minister said that deputy commissioners had been given a free hand to appoint doctors locally on contract basis.