BioVoice News July 2016 Issue 3 Volume 1 | Page 18

cover story Green signal to academic trials raise hopes The government’s move to allow trials for institutional research activities will not only boost the new discovery efforts but also help in building confidence among researchers T BY SAYONI RAUTELA he recent Gazette notification on March 16, 2016 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare regarding exemption given to academic trials approved by the Ethics Committee for a new indication, new route of administration, new dose or new dosage form of approved drug formulations, is expected to give a much needed boost to institutional research being conducted in India. “Our academic and teaching institutions are engaged in 18 BioVoiceNews | July 2016 path-breaking research that addresses the unique health challenges of our country,” said Dr Shashwati Pramanik, Chair, Regulatory Council, ISCR, “The work they are doing is helping create not just new and better treatment for diseases endemic to our region, but is also making them more affordable and accessible to patients. The recent amendment will significantly reduce start-up timelines due to exemption from DCGI approval while maintaining vigilance through Ethics Committees. Thus, this will give a big fillip to these