CURRENT TRENDS AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR CLINICAL TRIALS IN INDIA AND THE USA

Clinical trials are fundamental to the development of safe, effective, and high-quality pharmaceutical products. The increasing globalization of drug development has intensified the need for harmonized regulatory frameworks that ensure ethical conduct, participant safety, data integrity, and timely approval of new medicines. This review explores the current trends and regulatory requirements governing clinical trials in India and the United States, with emphasis on the roles of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), and the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). It discusses the regulatory pathways for clinical trial authorization, Investigational New Drug (IND) applications, New Drug Applications (NDA), ethical committee approvals, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP),pharmacovigilance, and post-marketing surveillance. The review also highlights the Common Technical Document (CTD) format, documentation requirements, and evolving regulatory policies that facilitate efficient drug development while maintaining stringent quality, safety, and efficacy standards. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the regulatory systems in India and the USA is presented, outlining their similarities, differences, and recent advancements in clinical trial governance. Understanding these regulatory requirements is essential for pharmaceutical industries, clinical researchers, and regulatory professionals to achieve global compliance, accelerate drug development, and ensure the successful introduction of innovative therapeutic products into the market.