ICMR wants India’s own evidence to treat lifestyle diseases, not foreign data | India News

New Delhi: To make healthcare more relevant to Indian patients, the Indian Council of Medical Research has called for large multi-center clinical trials to generate India-specific evidence for treating lifestyle and chronic diseases instead of relying mainly on data from Western countries.The move targets diabetes, heart disease, cancer and other non-communicable diseases that affect millions of people across the country. Health experts say treatments proven effective in Western populations do not always produce the same results in Indian patients due to differences in genetics, diet, climate, disease patterns and access to care.The need for this approach has become evident in ongoing research. AIIMS Delhi cardiologist Dr Ambuj Rao said India-specific clinical studies are crucial, noting that AIIMS is currently conducting an all-India flu vaccine trial in cardiac patients. He noted that evidence for such interventions is unlikely to come from Western countries because India has different flu seasons and different public health challenges.Under the initiative, a network of at least five hospitals will jointly evaluate treatments, medical procedures, digital tools and lifestyle interventions in real-world settings in India. The aim is to identify treatments that are not only clinically effective but also affordable and feasible in government hospitals and public health programs. Officials said the findings will directly inform national treatment guidelines and each selected study will be eligible for funding of up to Rs 8 crore over four years.Dr Ravinder Goswami of the Department of Endocrinology at the Indian Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi said India’s tropical climate, repeated cycles of stress and poverty, and unique dietary patterns have led to unique metabolic and hormonal adaptations in Indians, including insulin resistance, higher cortisol levels, central adiposity and lower muscle mass. He said rapid lifestyle changes and increased consumption of refined foods are exacerbating the burden of diabetes, hypertension, polycystic disease and other metabolic diseases, which requires culturally acceptable, India-specific treatment strategies. He added that the ICMR’s call for thoughtful studies provides an important opportunity to provide evidence for diseases that are unique to India, including certain metabolic disorders and cancers such as oral cancer.In addition to improving treatment options, the program is expected to enhance India’s research capabilities. Participating hospitals will be required to conduct trials independently, maintain standardized digital records and share data transparently, reducing reliance on drug-driven global studies.Public health experts say the move could have an immediate impact on patients because even small changes in treatment regimens, backed by evidence from India, can improve outcomes and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families with chronic conditions. If successful, this effort could ensure that prescriptions written by Indian doctors are guided by data generated by Indian patients, rather than assumptions imported from elsewhere.