Global Trials -Innovation or Exploitation
I have always admired the optimism of Indian CEOs when they talk about welcoming global companies for partnerships in Research & Development. It sounds glamorous—India as the next big hub for innovation, collaborating with giants to create life‑saving molecules. But let’s pause for a reality check. What these leaders often fail to recognize—or perhaps conveniently ignore—is how Indian laws can be misinterpreted, bent, and squeezed to accommodate such partnerships. And when it comes to bending rules, Indians are masters of jugaad . The global players know this all too well. India: A Heaven for Global Giants In developed countries, five phases of clinical trials are a regulatory mountain. Strict ethical standards, strong patient rights, and government oversight make it nearly impossible to push a drug through without immense scrutiny. India, on the other hand, has long been a paradise for them. Easy recruitment, weaker regulatory checks, and a healthcare system desperate for access ...