Saibal Das

I am a medical professional from India. I completed my undergraduate medical training (MBBS), followed by three years of post-graduation (MD) in Pharmacology from Christian Medical College, Vellore, India and another three years of post-doctoral training (DM) in Clinical Pharmacology from Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

I am presently working as a Scientist (Medical) at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - Centre for Ageing and Mental Health, Kolkata, India. My present areas of work are medication safety among the elderly, evidence-based medicine, and personalized medicine.  I am also pursuing doctoral education (PhD) at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and there I work in the Health Systems and Policy team (Improving Use of Medicines).

Being a Clinical Pharmacologist, my core areas of expertise are coordinating, conducting, and reviewing clinical trials and synthesizing evidence on medicine efficacy/effectiveness and safety. I have knowledge of the pharmacology of medicines in special populations and pharmacoepidemiology. I also have expertise and experience in precision medicine. 

I have been actively involved in clinical research over the last 12 years in the capacity of an investigator (field level) as well as a program officer (central secretariat level). Hence, I understand the essentials of working in both of these roles. I have published over 80 papers and won several research awards. I have clinical experience of more than ten years. I serve in various scientific/research committees on Pharmacology and Drug/Product (including medical devices) Development of the Government of India and some professional international societies. Besides, I am actively associated with the ICMR-National Task Force on Safe and Rational Use of Medicines.

I have first-hand experience in reporting and publishing rare adverse drug reactions and providing clinical consultations to clinicians in managing complex drug-related problems. I have experience in applying Clinical Pharmacological interventions (e.g. medication reconciliation, de-prescribing, choice of optimal medications, desensitization for drug hypersensitivity, etc.) in managing such cases and published those. I was actively involved in the review and time-bound periodic updates of the ICMR COVID-19 management guidelines based on the continuously emerging efficacy and safety data of various medicines.