A Scientific Approach and Perception for Clinical Practice in India

The rate and extent of absorption of a drug from its dosage form is referred to as bioavailability. While bioequivalence between two drug products is attained if their extent and rate of absorption do not relatively differ when administered at the same dose. A bioequivalence study comprises of two or more bioavailability studies which are performed by i) Measurement of active drug substance or its metabolites in the biological fluid; ii) Comparative pharmacodynamic studies in humans; iii) Comparative clinical trials; iv) Comparative in-vitro dissolution studies. The rationale of the study is the monitoring of the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic parameters (AUC, Cmax) after administration of the tested drug. This study is not an experimental study but a form of data analysis and reporting of comparative bioavailability studies. The study data obtained is required to be equipped with applications of new drug products as notified in Schedule Y. Cumulatively, it aids in the development of pharmaceutical preparations in the pharmaceutical industry. This review article aims to illustrate the systematic overview of BA/BE study with an emphasis on its experimental aspects like study design, volunteer selection, dosing regimen, sample collection procedures along with a detailed insight on Informed Consent Document, Case Report Form, Trial Master file and the Protocol which collectively form the backbone of the clinical study.