India's inclusion to WHO's GCTF to benefit clinical research

THE pharma and biotech industries in the country are of the view that India’s inclusion into WHO's Global Clinical Trials Forum (GCTF), through key members like the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru and Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, will bring in several strategic benefits for the country's clinical research landscape.

- Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru

As per a recent announcement, WHO last week launched the GCTF, a global, multistakeholder network, to strengthen clinical trial environments and infrastructure at national, regional and global levels. The Forum responds to World Health Assembly resolution WHA75.8, which called on WHO to improve the quality and coordination of clinical trials to generate high-quality evidence for health decision-making.

According to Dr Suresh Krishnam, a clinical trial consultant and internal medicine specialist, the big benefits are stronger clinical trial infrastructure, improved trial standards and oversight, increased global collaboration and recognition, capacity building & skill development, faster and equitable access to innovations, support for policy and regulatory reform.