subject: Clinical Research - A Fast Growing Industry [print this page] A multinational and multidisciplinary industry, Clinical Research is the systematic scientific study to understand the effects, side effects, and risks of a new drug on humans. In India alone, the industry is about to reach the staggering size of Rs 5,000 crores by 2010 which outlines the vast potential and job prospects it offers over the next few years. The field of clinical trials and research in India gained attention from major players all over the world because of its over 1 billion population size with a large ratio of patient population that are seen as potential subjects by the scientists for various studies. Moreover, India also offers a large talent pool of English-speaking trained doctors and certified professionals in all the related fields as well as world-class infrastructure in its hospitals and research laboratories at very economical rates.
Clinical trials are usually conducted in four phases. In the initial stage, drugs are tested on healthy and informed volunteers to study behavior of the medicine, followed by trials on informed patients to test its effects and side effects. In the third phase, a large number of volunteers are administered the drug and kept under close supervision to generate statistics and data for regulatory and licensing authorities. Phase IV trials are conducted by the company after its limited commercial launch to monitor how thousands of patients, prescribed the drug by their doctor, are reacting to the medicine and study any unforeseen situations that might occur.
The strong growth shown by pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad and the technological and scientific advancements has given unprecedented rise to expenditure on research and development of new drugs. The processes too have quickened up and the industry is in need of trained and qualified personnel who are well aware of latest trends in the industry, and can design, handle and monitor all drug development and clinical trial projects with ease. The need for professionals, who understand the stringent rules and regulations outlined by the government and regulatory authorities and also ensure safety of human subjects and volunteers, is also on a steep rise.
Asias second biggest player in the field, India offers easy patient enrollment and high quality data analysis that have made a great contribution in the discovery of innovative drugs at a global level. It has also cemented its position as a global hub for clinical trials and research. Thus, the field has emerged as an attractive career option for life science, biotechnology, medicine or computer science graduates and postgraduates.
Clinical Research Industry offers packages ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 per month to a fresher, depending on his or her qualification and post. An exponential rise on an annual basis has also been noticed in the salary of Clinical Research professionals globally, depending on their performance and years of experience in the industry. Whether you want to join as a project manager, pharmacovigilance supervisor or clinical data manager, specific certificate and diploma courses in the industry from a good and reputed institute will multiply your chances of landing a suitable job soon.
