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
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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:
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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.org
Offers 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
