PACER (Patient Advocates for Clinical Research – India) is a joint initiative of Cankids Kidscan and Apar Health working towards strengthening patient understanding, engagement, and representation in clinical research and regulatory processes in India. It focuses on building capacity among Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) so that patients and caregivers can actively participate in shaping ethical, accessible, and patient-centric research.
CanKids KidsCan is the National Society for Change for Childhood Cancer in India. It provides end-to-end support to children with cancer and their families through advocacy, treatment navigation, psychosocial support, accommodation (Home Away from Home), and policy engagement. CanKids also works closely with hospitals and government systems to improve access, equity, and outcomes in pediatric oncology.
Apar Health is a knowledge and implementation partner working in the space of health systems strengthening, clinical research education, and capacity building. The collaboration between PACER, CanKids, and Apar Health aims to bring together advocacy, clinical expertise, and research capacity under one platform.
ICMR-Funded Workshop
As part of this initiative, a two-day workshop titled “Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for Patients: Strengthening Ethical Participation in Clinical Research” was successfully conducted on 24th & 25th April at The Meriton Hotel, Nehru Place-2, near Okhla NSIC Metro Station.
The workshop focused on building awareness and understanding of Good Clinical Practice among patients, caregivers, and Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs), enabling them to better understand clinical research processes and actively engage in an informed, ethical, and meaningful manner.
This initiative is supported through the ICMR-supported workshop grant, focusing on strengthening patient-centric research ecosystems in India. The workshop brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and Patient Advocacy Groups to discuss how clinical research can become more inclusive, ethical, and responsive to patient needs.
What We Aim to Achieve
Through this collaboration and conference, we aim to:
• Strengthen patient and caregiver understanding of clinical research
• Promote meaningful involvement of Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs) in research design and implementation
• Build capacity for ethical and patient-centric clinical trials
• Improve communication between researchers, regulators, and patients
• Create a sustainable framework for patient engagement in India
Role of Patient Advocacy Groups (PAGs)
Patient Advocacy Groups are central to this initiative. Their role includes:
• Representing patient voices in research and policy discussions
• Supporting informed decision-making and awareness
• Bridging the gap between healthcare systems and communities
• Ensuring that research priorities reflect real patient needs
• Promoting transparency, trust, and ethical conduct in clinical trials
Overall, Vision
The overall vision is to move towards a more patient-centered clinical research ecosystem in India, where patients are not just participants but active partners in research, policy, and healthcare transformation.
रिसर्च में भागीदारी, स्वस्थ भारत की जिम्मेदारी