Poor and jobless exploited in unauthorised Ahmedabad drug trials, Crime Branch probe finds

An investigation by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has uncovered unauthorised clinical trials being carried out on poor and unemployed residents, including women, at two research centres in the city. Participants were reportedly given drugs meant for the treatment of cancer, mental health disorders, and other serious illnesses without proper consent or safeguards.

According to investigators, illiterate and economically vulnerable people were lured with cash payments to take part in these drug trials at Veda Clinical Research Pvt Ltd and Lambda Therapeutic Research Pvt Ltd. Agents, who earned commissions for every recruit, allegedly picked up participants from working-class neighbourhoods and transported them to the facilities by rickshaw or car.

Poverty and unemployment drive participation

While Gujarat has gained international recognition for its thriving pharmaceutical industry, the city’s darker side reveals how poverty and unemployment are being exploited. In foreign countries, clinical trials are costly because volunteers must be paid well and provided with regulated facilities. In India, however, financial distress pushes people to volunteer, making such testing significantly cheaper for companies.

The Crime Branch found that some participants had undergone up to 20 drug trials, even though ethical norms allow only two or three a year. Those who suffered side effects reportedly received only basic medical attention before being sent home—without compensation or follow-up care.

Just last month, Gujarat Samachar Digital reported on the case of Sarkhej resident Afzal Ajmeri, who said his health had deteriorated after taking part in multiple drug trials each year for small cash payments. Middlemen were accused of recruiting poor, uneducated participants—many of them women—without informing them of the risks. Experts warned that weak oversight and high unemployment have turned Gujarat into a hub for unethical and unauthorised clinical testing.

Advocates warn that while participants may receive ₹10,000–₹15,000 for each trial, the hidden costs can be severe. Repeated or unsafe participation in drug trials can lead to chronic illnesses, deformities, paralysis, or even life-threatening conditions.

Consent and safety norms flouted

Investigators said that rules governing clinical trials were blatantly disregarded. Instead of obtaining informed consent, staff took thumbprints of illiterate participants on forms that released the companies from responsibility. Unauthorised video recordings were also made during the process, violating privacy and ethical standards.

The number of women participating in these trials has increased in recent years, raising fresh concerns about exploitation. Most participants, being illiterate or semi-literate, had little understanding of the risks involved or of their right to seek redress in case of harm.

Civic body seeks action from FDCA

Following the Crime Branch’s findings, the health department of the Amdavad Municipal Corporation has written to the state Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), urging strict action against the two research centres. The department has also recommended stronger monitoring to prevent the exploitation of poor and vulnerable citizens through unauthorised drug testing.

The revelations have triggered public concern about ethics and accountability in Gujarat’s booming pharmaceutical sector, highlighting the urgent need for oversight and regulatory transparency.