How the Pandemic Has Changed Research

Business Standard     2nd September 2020     Save    

Context: The pandemic has changed the nature of vaccine development which leads to certain opportunities and challenges in the future

Positive Changes in Vaccine Development

  • Increased Alliance and Cooperation: The urgency has led to partnerships and alliances between erstwhile rivals; unprecedented levels of government-private co-operation;
    • For E.g. In India, from vaccine producers such as the Serum Institute of India to drug makers like Cipla and Wockhardt have forged multiple partnerships.
    • Saves Time and Efforts: The idea is to break up and parcel out portions of the research and development process so that they can be conducted in parallel to save time.
  • The unparalleled concentration of resources: dedicated to the COVID-19 in the form of both researchers and funds.
    • Accessible Data: Research data that was once closely guarded are now put on open platforms so that every scientist across the world has access.
    • Innovative Methodologies: As opposed to the traditional clinics, virtual clinics are being used to avoid the risk of exposure where drugs are couriered to the participants.
  • Rising role of India: The western world had largely considered India to be a production hub, and also, good potential geography for clinical trials. 

Side-effects of Changes

  • Inefficiency in Research: Regulators around the world are willing to settle for smaller clinical trials and limited data before clearing a drug for emergency use without conducting large scale trials.
    • For, E.g. This was seen when the US FDA cleared Remdesivir for emergency use authorization through participants are still being enrolled for a large-scale efficacy study.
  • Neglect of other diseases: Overconcentration of resources in the COVID management and research has impacted the healthcare delivery for diseases like diabetes, cancer, TB, malaria and dengue

Way Forward:

  • Striking a balance between research for lifestyle diseases and antivirals: would ensure the long-term sustainability of the pharmaceuticals industry in India
    • In the past, many observers felt that infectious disease research was treated like a step-child by drug companies — now it is the reverse.
  • Push towards original drug discovery:
    • Traditionally, Indian companies have not made a mark in original drug or vaccine discovery.
    • Covid-19 could be the spur that pushes them to play higher up in the original drug discovery process.