India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) is preparing plans to enable foreign drug companies to conduct phase I clinical trials in the country, according to a government official. Currently, only Indian companies can conduct phase 0 and I trials domestically. KPMG estimates that India’s clinical research market was worth $200 million in 2007 and will grow to more than $500 million by 2010. In anticipation of the change, the CDSCO is working to address issues related to clinical trial registration and monitoring, drug analysis and a volunteer database. In addition, the CDSCO is being divided into 10 divisions and is hiring 72 additional staff members. The CDSCO also expects to become the single regulatory agency for the pharmaceutical industry, replacing the six government units that currently regulate it. Source: Reuters India