India’s first  Speaking Book in Clinical Trials in Telugu to increase awareness about participation in Clinical Trial launched

World Medical Association, NIMS and Pfizer introduced Indian version of a Speaking Book

Seen in the Pic are Dr. Soeren Rasmussen, Senior Director of Pfizer and Padmasri Dr. Dasari Prasada Rao, Director of NIMS seen

Hyderabad|India|October'2009: World Medical Association, NIMS and Pfizer India today introduced the Indian versions of a “Speaking Book in Telugu for clinical trial participation” to increase awareness about participation in clinical research. It is India’s first Speaking Book in any regional language.

The book is launched in a function held in city by Padmasri Dr. Dasari Prasada Rao, Director Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr. MUR Naidu, Dean Faculty of Medicine & Professor and Head of Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, NIMS and Dr. Soeren Rasmussen, Senior Director, External Medical Affairs of Pfizer Inc.
5000 books are printed and same are meant for free distribtution on request.

The book in Telugu explains the rights and responsibilities of participants involved in clinical trials and uses audio components in local languages and simple illustrations to explain the working of a clinical trial. The book can be used by patients, social workers and community based health workers involved in clinical trials. Telugu version is the first regional language version book to be released in India. The first-of-its-kind of “Speaking Book” has an audio component that corresponds to text and illustrations in the book. A simple button on the book begins a conversation on rights, roles and responsibilities of patients in relation to their potential participation in a clinical trial.

“It is essential for every participant involved in a clinical trial to have the necessary knowledge to take an informed decision,” said Kewal Handa, Managing Director, Pfizer Limited, “The speaking book will have an audio component that will speak the local language and become a support tool for thousands of participants across the country.”
Pfizer has conducted several clinical studies in Andhra Pradesh over the last decade, in partnership with leading research partners including the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. In an effort to promote awareness of the importance of clinical trials in bringing new drugs to market, Pfizer has launched a Telugu version of the speaking book.

“The multi-media interactive nature of the book provides an innovative way of demystifying the myths around clinical trials using local languages that can reach out to the common man”, claimed Dr. M.U.R. Naidu, Dean Faculty of Medicine & Professor and Head, Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad.

In addition to promoting transparency and awareness of patient rights, the speaking book offers an innovative medium to promote health awareness among poor and illiterate populations. The book has the potential to serve as a cutting edge instrument to promote information, education and awareness on key health challenges, ranging from HIV/AIDS to tobacco cessation.

Pfizer is one of the major players carrying out clinical trials in India for various drugs. It has also established the Academy for Clinical Excellence (ACE), the first organization in India dedicated to training and education in clinical research. This month Pfizer India received the second annual “Notable Initiative to Shape Clinical Research in India” award from the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR) for demonstrating remarkable effectiveness in shaping the clinical research environment in India. The book is a part of the company’s effort to promote awareness and create a sound basis for clinical research in the country, while safeguarding human rights. It will also build trust with the government, and lay the foundation for a long-term relationship in the healthcare sector.

The book is being brought out in three languages – English, Hindi and Telugu. Pfizer has developed the book in collaboration with World Medical Association, Indian Medical Association, Indian Council of Medical Research , Forum for Ethics Review Committees of India (FERCI),Indian Society of Clinical Research and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences,Hyderabad.

It will empower healthcare professionals involved in clinical research at all levels across the country. It will benefit support groups and NGOs in educating clinical trial participants. The speaking book also promotes South-South Cooperation in health care as the Indian versions build on the successful launch of the pilot project in Africa. Lower literacy levels in India are indicative that a similar approach will be effective in promoting awareness.

According to McKinsey & Co, by 2010, global pharmaceutical majors would spend around $1-1.5 billion on drug-trials in the country. The report also states that India has the largest pool of patients with many diseases, including cancer and diabetes. However, there are several challenges faced in clinical trials. Low literacy and poverty leads to a lack of proper understanding of patients’ rights and duties. GCP (Good Clinical Practices) norms emphasize responsible documentation and the need for patient protection. With a population that is only 61% literate, simpler approaches to spread awareness among clinical trial participants are needed.