An estimated five thousand people from across the country have lost their lives as the clinical trials of drugs conducted by various pharmaceutical firms went wrong. Amulya Nidhi, convener of Swasthya Adhikar Manch stated that “Since 2005, nearly 17 thousand “clinical drug trails were conducted in the country in which 4,967 people lost their lives in various trials. Whereas, hundreds of patients were diagnosed for Cancer, Paralysis, Asthma and Skin related diseases”.
In order to keep a track of the clinical drug trials, in 2007, the government formed a registry, making it mandatory for scientists and pharma companies to register about the trials. Since there was a provision of giving compensation to those affected in trials, therefore, in 2013, the government made the changes to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. However, till date, only 508 affected people have received compensation.…
