Amid a sweeping investigation into financial misconduct at an Ahmedabad-based government hospital, authorities have uncovered irregularities in at least 65 human clinical trials, prompting a widespread shutdown of ongoing and upcoming studies. A senior official from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) revealed to a media house that trials in their early stages were immediately halted, while seven more—slated to begin under signed agreements—were cancelled altogether.
The probe found that between 2021 and the present, 15 doctors allegedly diverted around Rs 1.87 crore directly into their personal bank accounts—funds that should have first gone to the hospital. The hospital, run by the AMC, has since come under scrutiny from both state and central agencies.
Currently, only one clinical trial remains active at the Sheth Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital, confirmed Medical Superintendent Dr Parul Shah to a media house.
She added that at least four to five doctors accused in the scam had already returned a combined total of Rs 11 lakh. Notices had been issued to all doctors involved, requesting repayment of the funds received directly through the trials.
Shah indicated that the remaining individuals were expected to return the money as well.
Some officials from the AMC Medical Education Trust (AMCMET) said that most trials in their initial phases had already been stopped before the investigation began.
Vibes of India understands that the single pending trial would continue in the interest of patient care and assured that no participants had suffered as a result of the financial discrepancies.
The clinical trials conducted at the hospital had involved drugs and formulations from 34 pharmaceutical and clinical research companies (CROs) and were overseen by as many as eight Site Management Organisations (SMOs). Of the 65 trials in total, 48 had been completed, 10 were underway when the investigation started, and seven were pending commencement despite signed agreements, a report indicated.
Shah said the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) team, during a visit to the hospital, found no flaws in how the clinical trials were conducted. The discrepancies, the doctor noted, were confined to financial transactions, and the scientific or procedural integrity of the studies remained intact.
It has emerged that during its three-day inspection in May, the DCGI instructed the hospital to immediately suspend all trials. The hospital was directed to constitute an ethics committee and obtain approvals before conducting research.
No further clinical studies would be undertaken until the current irregularities had been fully addressed.
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