Emerging technologies and innovation policies in India: how disparities in cancer research might be furthering health inequities?

ABSTRACT

Inequity in health research is understood as a major impediment to development.The paper uses empirical analysis performed on a unique data set of publications and clinical trials related to cancer research to explore the public policy dimensions of health care research in India. It traces disparities that result from predilections in science technology and innovation policies in India. The paper analyses disparity in health research using emerging technologies and its implications for equity in health research. The paper argues that the use of emerging technologies in cancer research has shifted research focus from cancers affecting poor population in India.

Abbreviations

AA – Age Adjusted Incidence Rates; CTRI – Clinical Trail Registry of India; DBT – Department of Biotechnology; DST – Department of Science and Technology; ICMR – Indian Council for Medical Research; Mabs – Monoclonal antibodies; NBDS – National Biotechnology Development Strategy; NCI – National Cancer Institute; NSTI – Nanoscience and Technology Initiative; SCI – Science Citation Index; TB – Tuberculosis; WOS – Web of Science.

KEYWORDS:

• Emerging technologies
• cancer
• low and middle-income countries
• 10/90 gap in health research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research [Senior Research Fellowship].

Notes on contributors

Rajesh Kalarivayil

Rajesh Kalarivayil has completed his Ph.D. in “Biomedical Innovation and Emerging Technologies” from the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Currently, he is working as an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work, Tezpur University, Assam. His research interests broadly cover the area of biomedical innovation and emerging technologies in developing economies.

Pranav N. Desai

Pranav N. Desai, former Professor at the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, JNU was engaged in teaching analysis in science and technology policy and technology futures analysis. He received his PhD in science policy studies in 1985 from JNU. He has conducted research in diverse areas of science policy including emerging technologies, intellectual property rights, energy and environment-related issues. He specialises in science, technology and international affairs. Some of his publications include Science, Technology and International Cooperation (1997, New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications) and Science, Technology, Coastal Zone Management and Policy (2003, New Delhi: Allied Publisher).