The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to a chain of dermatology and plastic surgery centers, The Esthetic Clinics, for conducting clinical trials and drug development for skin, hair and other plastic surgery medications, cosmetology and cosmetic surgery devices in India.
The initiative will help in the faster launch of newer, more innovative, cosmetic, dermatology & plastic surgery products, while reducing the cost involved in product testing. It will benefit Indian pharmaceutical companies by granting them access to quality research facilities, clinicians and laboratories in India, without having to go overseas, to conduct the trials.
Dr Debraj Shome, renowned Facial Plastic surgeon & Director, The Esthetic Clinics, said, "Caring for skin and hair is a business where unmet needs still abound and people around the world are waiting for newer and better solutions. Considering India now has the clinical acumen and has the ratification of the DCGI & CDSCO to conduct clinical trials for top quality cosmetic needs, far newer products and technology will be hitting the Indian market than before. MNCs, as well as homegrown companies, can easily enter the Indian market at much lower costs, keeping in mind local needs."
Dr Rinky Kapoor, top cosmetic Dermatologist & Director, The Esthetic Clinics, said "Many products in cosmetology and aesthetics are launched in India based on clinical trials conducted overseas on Caucasians or black population and not on the Indian population. Indian skin is different and therefore it's response to medicines is different. Hence, it becomes important to do clinical trials in our particular population where the product is going to be launched, instead of performing the same in a completely diverse population."
