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.
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They are key participants in the design, implementation and
monitoring of clinical trials
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They shoulder the responsibility of planning and implementing
all activities required to conduct and monitor complex clinical trials and
ensure that Good Clinical Practices are followed.
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They assist in preparation of presentations and manuscripts
of scientific meetings and technical journals and attend scientific/professional
meetings and training courses as appropriate.
BIOSTATISTICIAN Are
those who,
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Perform statistical programming, design, and analysis for
clinical trial projects. Planning, coordinating and providing statistical
analyses, summaries and reports of studies is also a part of their job profile.
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In addition they are responsible for New Drug Applications
and Biological License Applications submissions.
CRM are Clinical
Research Managers,They supervise design and writing of
protocols, case report forms and informed consent forms for clinical trials.
They ensure that Case Report Forms are reviewed in a timely fashion and
submitted to the data management group. There are other posts too such as
Clinical Research Coordinator, Business Development Manager, Clinical Research
Investigator, Clinical Data Manager 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 annum.
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If you have a master|s degree backing your qualifications,
then the amount is almost doubles.
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Clinical research is an industry where experience counts,
thus the longer you are in this field; higher the salary you can expect.
Growth
Prospects :
There are various
growth opportunities along the way for those willing to learn. For those
interested in serious research work, a PhD is the ideal solution. There are post
graduate degrees and diploma’s offered by various colleges which come in handy
to enhance one’s career prospects. Specialization in branches of pharmacy, life
sciences, biochemistry will be useful. Studying further will also help one in
bettering their current job profile. For instance doing a masters will enhance
the job prospects of a CRA to become a Project Manager. Similarly a PhD in a
related discipline is needed to become a Medical Director. According to industry
reports, India is the second largest pharmaceutical market in Asia growing by
more than nine per cent annually. According to a report, there are more than
50,000 jobs in clinical research in India .Lack of experience is no longer a
hindrance, and companies are hiring from other streams too. With the influx of
multinationals setting up research facilities here, the industry is poised to
grow exponentially.
Where to
study?Academy for Clinical Excellence
(ACE)
Website :
http:// www.aceindia.org
It
offers courses like Clinical Research; From Theory to Practice, clinical
Research and GCP for investigators, Quality assurance in clinical research etc.
It offers
the following courses:
-
Two year full time - Masters in Clinical research + MBA
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Two year full time - MSC in Clinical Research
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Part-time post graduate diploma in Clinical Research (1 year)
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PhD in Clinical Research.
Bombay
College of Pharmacy :
Website :
http:// www.bcpindia.orgOffers
Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral programme of study in Pharmaceutical
Sciences.
Cliniminds -
Academy for Clinical Research Training &
Management
Website :
www.cliniminds.com
Institute offers
wide range of clinical research courses; diploma programs in Pharmacovigilance;
Quality Assurance in Clinical Research; Biostatistics; Investigators; GCP
Training; Monitoring and several other
programs
