India is fast emerging as a favorable destination for conducting global clinical trials. The availability of highly qualified medical practitioners, lower drug development cost, wide spectrum of disease and skilled manpower proficient in English language is attracting conduct of global clinical trials in Indian hospitals and clinical sites. Since India has implemented GCP as per ICH global standards, it is now possible that the data from conduct of trials in India as per GCP guidelines maybe submitted for approval of the
drug in USA, Europe, Japan, etc along with submission to authorities in India.

A sizeable amount of population with extensive that does the job in cost effective way is one of the reason why many multinationals are setting up their research institutes in India. Apart from this, due to occurrence of many diseases as well as high cases of diabetes, blood pressure and cancer in India, multinationals consider India as the best location for clinical research centres. Moreover, India is known for its diverse cultures and traditions. Many alternate medicines like the Siddha, Unani, Ayurvedic, homeopathy etc are in practice with Allopath medicines. This also has a global recognition, which is attracting many foreign medical companies to take up shared outsourcing policy to hit the Indian clinical research market.

The clinical trial industry is doubling in revenue every 2 years and as per Mckinsey estimate India has the potential to become one billion dollar revenue industry.
Current outsourced clinical trial activity in India is at around Rs. 3.5 billion (about US $ 75 million) and is estimated to go up to Rs.13 billion (about US $ 281 million) by 2010. Thus, there will soon be a massive demand for clinical research professionals, making it an interesting career option with massive growth potential. That’s not all. Trained Clinical Research professionals will also be in demand abroad. There are more than 2,50,000 positions vacant worldwide and salaries in the U.S. vary in the region of approximately USD 40,000 p.a. for a Clinical Research Co-ordinator to almost USD 100,000 p.a. for a Business Development Manager. Rest assured, Clinical Research is definitely the next big career and now is the time to make it a vocation. With demand far outstripping supply, it seems to be a win-win situation for the clinical research associates.

Although, experience in this field is an added advantage and companies prefer working with individuals who have work experience of 2-3 years, recently passed out individuals having requisite qualifications may also in good clinical research institute. The reason is there is huge requirement of trained individuals in this field. At the entry level itself, clinical research career is branched into different categories. The first position at the entry level is of a CRA (clinical research associates). CRA’s have to perform diverse jobs. They are significant participants in the formation, design, implementation as well as monitoring of the trails.
They have to prepare presentations, manuscripts of technical journals, scientific meetings and need to attend professional meetings, training courses as decided by the company. Growth prospects in the field of clinical research are definitely higher. Individuals who started their career with a basic bachelors degree and went on to do PhD are sure to get promotions and better post as their educational qualification and work experience raises.

Moreover, remuneration in this industry is quite impressive. Since, there is huge requirement of the professionals, individuals get handsome package right at their entry level. If individuals posses a masters degree, then the salary amount is twofold as compared to those who have a basic bachelor’s degree. 

Courses: 

Postgraduate diploma in Clinical Research. 

Postgraduate diploma in clinical Trial Management. 

Postgraduate diploma in clinical Data Management. 

Postgraduate diploma in clinical research specialization in Business Development. 

Postgraduate diploma in clinical research specialization in Quality Assurance & Audit. 

Bioinformatics 

Oracle Clinical 

SAS 

Eligibility: B.Sc/M.Sc Life Science, BPharma, Mpharma, MBBS, BDS, BHMS& BAMS.

Job profile:

Clinical Research branches off into various categories at the entry level.
The most common entry-level position is that of a Clinical Research Associate (CRA. The role of a CRA is varied, they are key participants in the design, implementation and monitoring of clinical trials.
Bio-statistician are those who,perform statistical programming, design, and analysis for clinical trial projects.
CRM are Clinical Research Managers,
They supervise design and writing of protocols, case report forms and informed consent forms for clinical trials.
There are other posts too such as Clinical Research Coordinator, Business Development Manager, Clinical Research Investigator, Clinical Data Manager etc.

Placements: 

Many pharmaceuticals and clinical research organizations have already come forward to unlock the vast potential that India hasand are conducting clinical trials in India. Thus, there is expected to be a huge demand for qualified and trained clinical research professionals. After the successful completion of course, the student can find find work at ICON, GSK, PRA International, i3 Research, i3 Statprobe, Bilcare, Hindustan Unilever, Serum Institute, Macloeds, Emcure, Reliance Clinical Research Services, Aventis, Fortis, Apollo Hospital,Panacea Biotech, iGate, Quintiles, Cipla, GVK bio, CliniRx, Lundbeck, Jubilant Clinsys, Novartis, Ranbaxy, Fortis, Persistent, Neemans, Pfizer etc. Some of the IT companies engaged in clinical data management are as under: Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant Technologies, Infosys, Accenture, etc.

Remuneration:

 There is high demand for trained professionals in this field; the pay package is impressive at the entry level.
Freshers can expect a pay packet of around three lakhs or more per anum.
If you have a master's degree backing your qualifications, then the amount is almost doubles. Clinical research is an industry where experience counts, thus the longer you are in this field; higher the salary you can expect.

Scope Abroad: