Late last year, I submitted an article to the journal Perspectives in Clinical Research (PICR), brought out by the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR). This issue of PICR is titled “Ethics in Clinical Research” with contributions from bioethicians, patient advocates, trial sponsors and investigators, among others. The publishers informed me yesterday that the issue is out. Here’s a link to the article.
Tag: clinical research
The media and clinical trials
The Drug Information Association (DIA) recently had a webinar with international participants on the ethical issues arising around clinical trials in individuals with reduced autonomy (like children, very sick people incapable of taking decisions, the mentally ill, prisoners etc).
One of the subjects discussed was the media’s role in clinical trials. One participant wanted to know if national media in India feel a responsibility to educate the public about clinical research in general, in addition to reporting when things go wrong. I don’t know for sure but I suspect this question stems from a feeling in some quarters that media gives too much play to botched or allegedly botched trials. But does little to help the cause of ethically-conducted trials that bring drugs and other medical interventions to market.
Here are my thoughts.