'Subjects who volunteer for clinical trials are the true heroes'

BENGALURU: "The very purpose of clinical research is to improve health. Hence, everyone who participates in clinical trials is a partner and should be deemed as champions of the cause, and hence it is the responsibility of us professionals to serve these people to the best of our ability. Without their trust, the advancement of both clinical science and medical practice would falter," said Professor Gagandeep Kang, executive director, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), while delivering the keynote address on 'Trials and Tribulations: Clinical Research in India', at IIM Bangalore. She was speaking at inaugural session of the 14th International Conference on Public Policy and Management, organized by the Centre for Public Policy (CPP) at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), from August 22-24, 2019.

She went on to say that such trials need to be carried out responsibly and ethically, based on a relationship of trust with the participants where total understanding is a given, and the findings are shared with the communities. "There are regulatory bodies to raise the standard of clinical research and curb unethical practices. But although we have very good basic biology institutes, investment is still not to the level that it should be," she said.

Prof. Kang, an Infosys Prize Winner in Life Sciences began her address by providing a background to public health in India, and proceeded to talk about the need for clinical research, the different players of healthcare delivery, and also gave an insight into her ongoing research and future work.