Title: Role of policymakers, health researchers, and challenges in clinical drug trial and health policy: a review

Authors: Anamika; Nishant Upadhyay; Rangnath Ravi; Abhijeet Mishra; Divya Sharma; Aman Dhiman

Addresses: Center for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi – 110067, India ' Department of Information Technology, Greater Noida Institute of Technology, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh – 201310, India ' Department of Chemistry Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110027, India ' Department of Chemistry Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110027, India ' Department of Biotechnology, Dr. B Lal Institute of Biotechnology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur – 302017, India ' Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Science, Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan, West Bengal – 731235, India

Abstract: The policymakers are essential in clinical trials, setting regulations, funding, and public access to trial outcomes. Involving all makes these trials safe, ethical and impacts more on population health decisions. In the USA, the FDA dictates trial rules, while in the UK, the NIHR funds and supports trials. India grapples with ethical issues in clinical trials although some recent efforts seem to ameliorate the plights of human subjects. This essay points out the existing vacuum in policy implementation and role of policymakers in revising the rules/policies for ethical clinical trials in India. Employing data visualisation instruments like Power Bi charts and graphs could bring these gaps to light which would lead to better understanding of the situation and eventually evidence-based policy changes.

Keywords: clinical trials; ethics; data visualisation; policies; policy maker; health; ethical conduct.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRCS.2026.150548

International Journal of Human Rights and Constitutional Studies, 2026 Vol.13 No.1, pp.20 - 43

Received: 21 Mar 2024
Accepted: 02 May 2024
Published online: 17 Dec 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article