Identifying trials run in India that are registered in other clinical trial registries: a cross-sectional study

Clinical trials play a crucial role in biomedical research, and it is important to register them in public registries to ensure transparency and prevent research waste. In this study, we wished to determine what steps need to be taken to identify every clinical trial run in India that has been registered in any of the (non-Indian) World Health Organization-recognised primary registries. Of the 16 registries, we studied all except that of the European Union, which will be studied separately.

Two methodologies were employed for each registry, except for four that did not facilitate one or the other method. Methodology A involved downloading all the records in a registry and querying them. Methodology B involved conducting a search via the registry website.

Only four registries provided consistent results with both methodologies. Seven registries had different results from the two methodologies. Of these, in four cases, in Methodology A one field indicated that the study ran in India, while another indicated otherwise.

The above-mentioned ambiguities should be addressed by the concerned registries. Overall, this study reinforces the need for improved data accuracy and transparency in clinical trial registries and emphasizes the importance of resolving complications faced by users while navigating the registries. Ensuring accurate and comprehensive registration of clinical trials is essential for meta-research and the use of such data by a variety of stakeholders.