Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the journey from the initial discovery of a vaccine to its market availability typically extended over a 10-15 year period, with a large portion of time dedicated to conducting clinical trials. However, under the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, a vaccine programme was successfully completed within a year, said experts from the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR).
The ISCR, as an organisation, is exploring avenues to expedite the delivery of drugs to patients and incorporate clinical trials into the care process. Despite India’s large population, the country accounts for just 3% of clinical trials globally.
Seema Pai, Secretary of ISCR, acknowledged that while awareness has increased, there is significant room for improvement in India’s participation in clinical trials.
