Health Ministry will monitor drug research

‘‘The international scientific community sees huge potential in clinical research in India. We should build up the confidence in Indian science,’’ said Dr Ashwani Kumar, DCGI, who added, ‘‘The only way to do it is by regulation. This will give credibility as the government will be in partnership with the researchers.’’

‘‘We were so far just involved in approving research projects. The rest of the job was done by researchers. Now, regular inspections will be made in course of the research,’’ he said.

The Ministry has contacted a panel of ‘‘regulators’’ mostly eminent doctors and researchers to inspect research sites in their ‘‘zones’’.

A two-day workshop on good clinical practice for the regulators would be held at AIIMS on October 7-8. It will be an orientation programme for them on standards and operating procedure.

‘‘It will give them a uniform understanding of the underlying issues,’’ said Dr Kumar.