First ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet: Ayurvedic anaemia trial results, Phase 1 report and single ethics review guidelines
At the 1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet on 20 May 2026, ICMR presented an ICMR-CCRAS anaemia trial, launched a report on First-in-Human Phase 1 trials and released guidelines for single ethics review of multicentre research.
Summary
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) held its 1st Annual Clinical Trial Meet on 20 May 2026 under the theme 'International Clinical Trials Day: Focus on Integrative Medicine Clinical Trials'. Findings were presented from an ICMR-CCRAS multicentre Phase III randomised controlled trial of nearly 4,000 non-pregnant women aged 18â49 with moderate anaemia. The trial found Punarnavadi Mandura, alone and with Drakshavaleha, therapeutically equivalent to standard iron-folic acid over 90 days. ICMR launched a report, 'Advancing First-in-Human Phase 1 Clinical Trials in India: A Delphi Study on Regulatory Pathways and Opportunities', based on two rounds of consultation with 37 experts. ICMR also released the 'Operational Guidelines for Single Ethics Review of Multicentre Research in India'.
Key facts
- Event / date
- 1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet, 20 May 2026
- Theme
- International Clinical Trials Day: Focus on Integrative Medicine Clinical Trials
- Anaemia RCT
- ICMR-CCRAS Phase III; ~4,000 non-pregnant women aged 18â49; 90 days
- Result
- Punarnavadi Mandura (alone / with Drakshavaleha) equivalent to iron-folic acid
- Report
- First-in-Human Phase 1 trials Delphi study; 37 experts, two rounds
- Guidelines
- Single Ethics Review of Multicentre Research in India
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In the ICMR-CCRAS Phase III trial presented in May 2026, Punarnavadi Mandura was compared with which standard therapy for anaemia?
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Correct answer: C â Iron Folic Acid supplementation
The trial compared Punarnavadi Mandura, alone and with Drakshavaleha, against standard Iron Folic Acid supplementation and found them therapeutically equivalent.
The ICMR report on First-in-Human Phase 1 clinical trials, launched in May 2026, was based on what kind of study?
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Correct answer: A â A Delphi study with 37 experts
The report is 'A Delphi Study on Regulatory Pathways and Opportunities', developed through two rounds of consultation with 37 experts.
Consider the following statements about the 1st ICMR Annual Clinical Trial Meet (May 2026): 1. The anaemia trial enrolled pregnant women in their second trimester. 2. ICMR released Operational Guidelines for Single Ethics Review of Multicentre Research in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B â 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the trial enrolled nearly 4,000 non-pregnant women aged 18â49 with moderate anaemia. Statement 2 is correct.