Career in Clinical Research
Great opportunity for graduates from pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, life science and bioscience Clinical Research is the next big career. The clinical research market worldwide is worth over $52 billion. There are more than 2,50,000 positions vacant globally and the salaries vary from $40,000 per annum for a clinical research coordinator to almost $1,00,000 per annum for a business development manager. These large numbers speak volumes about the lucrative career and its infinite employment opportunities. Moreover, big companies in the field are offering even bigger packages.
Recent news items appearing in the Sri Lankan news papers suggest that Sri Lanka is on the way to set up a Pharma hub. This will trigger a need for Clinical research professionals within Sri Lanka. Its Neighbouring country, India is the second largest pharmaceutical market in Asia growing at more than 9 percent annually, and is one of the fastest growing clinical research destinations with the growth rate that is two and a half times the overall market growth. India is ranked third across all countries after USA and China in terms of its overall attractiveness as a Clinical Trial destination according to a recent AT Kearney global survey. There are more than 50,000 jobs in clinical research in India as per McKinsey Report. With the influx of multinationals setting up research facilities here, the industry is poised to grow exponentially.
According to Dr. Dharinder Tayal, Director, Anovus Institute of Clinical Research, “India’s strength in this field rests on the availability of large patient population, high quality medical talent, high percentage of English speaking population, wide spectrum of diseases, low cost of operation and favorable economic and IP environment”. The clinical trial market in India is currently sized at USD 250 -275 m and expected to grow at the robust 30% CAGR over the next few years, which is almost double the global average as per a recent Ernst and Young Report, “The Glorious Metamorphosis: Compelling Reasons for Doing Clinical Research in India” What is Clinical Research?
Clinical Research is Applied Research which involves testing of new medication in human population. The purpose is to evaluate whether the medication is safe and effective when it is used for the disease under question. These are carried out prior to the release of the medicine to the market. Clinical trials are an indispensable part of Clinical Research.
As cli nical trial involves research on human subjects, it has to be performed to the highest standards. It is therefore pertinent to ensure Clinical Trials are performed in accordance with national guidelines .Trials cannot be conducted without the approval of regulatory bodies like Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
After the completion of research, the Regulatory Agency reviews the data obtained from the patients. If the medication proves to be effective without much of side effects, permission to market the product is granted. Generation of quality data (observations on the patients like blood pressure) by the physicians (investigators) is the fundamental and crucial component of clinical research. Each physician carries out the actual clinical trial at his hospital and the sponsor team coordinates the trials.
Preparing clinical trial documents (the protocol, case report) and the supply of tested drugs at desired time are some of the important responsibilities of the sponsor. Training in Clinical Research Training in clinical research helps to develop an insight into the field and build up the qualities to excel in this field. However, it always depends upon the quality and the methodology of training and trainer’s experience in the field. A good training will ensure that at the end of the course, the student is able to take up responsibilities in the industry without further training by the employer where he would be eventually placed.
Hence, it is not only sufficient to have an ambition to do a course in clinical research but also to choose the right institution. Aspiring students should collect information through internet, past students and interaction with the teaching faculty. To conclude, a career in clinical research is definitely challenging and satisfying. However success is ensured only when one chooses the right course from the right institution after thorough homework.
Anovus offers modular courses in this field from 6 months Diploma, to 12 months Advanced Diploma and a 2-year M.Sc. programme in Clinical Research, under Punjab Technical University. The admission to these courses are open now. The course fee is in India is Rs 70,000 for Diploma, Rs.65, 000 per semester for Advanced Diploma (2 semesters), and Rs 60,000 per semester for M.Sc. (4 semesters). Eligibility
A Bachelor's degree in science is a must to enter this field. Ideally the industry is looking for science graduates from pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, life science and bioscience. Anyone who fulfils these criteria can join the industry. Pay Packages:
Clinical research is an industry where experience counts, thus the longer you are in this field, the higher salary you can expect. One of the freshers at Anovus even had a head start with a salary package of close to Indian Rupees five lakh within three months of joining the course. There is a plan to offer these courses very shortly in Sri Lanka Send your enquiries to anovuslk@gmail.com