National Registration System for Toxicologists

 23.11.2019

It gives me an immense pleasure to inform you all that, “The Independent Committee (Following members have deliberated) constituted by ToxGurukul last month to evaluate the need for forming a system for “Registration of Toxicologists”. The committee has reached a tentative decision to form a Registry of Qualified Toxicologists (something like a National Registry).

Full Committee Members:

Dr Varun Ahuja, MVSc, PhD, DABT, ERT, Senior Scientist, Toxicology, Lupin Ltd., Pune.

Dr Vijaymatham, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Bidar.

Dr AB Pant, PhD, ATS (USA), FST, FIAN, FASAW, FAEB, MNASc, MAMS, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow.

Dr VGS Sharma, PhD, Consultant, SARC LLP, Ahmedabad.

Dr MR Srinivasan, MVSc, DABT, ERT, Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai.

Dr N Subashini, MSc, PhD, FASc, CCLAS, Senior Scientist-Toxicology, International Institute of Biotechnology and Toxicology (IIBAT), Padappai, Chennai.

Dr Shahnaz Akhtar, MSc, PhD, DABT, Deputy General Manager, Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd., Vadodara, Gujarat.

Observer from TGF:

Ms. Sapna Gupta, MSc, CLAS, Scientist (Ecotoxicologist), Shriram Institute for Industrial Research (SRI), Delhi.

The present document lists the ‘Pros’ and ‘Cons’ of an Indian system for “Registration of Toxicologists” following deliberations amongst committee members and with inputs from other professional colleagues.

 (i) Single Window Database: Need of the hour to STOW all practicing toxicologists together – “Single Toxicology Window”

(ii) Equivalent to its global counterparts: This will provide a platform to Co-ordinate and collaborate with other international registries: Currently several countries have their national registries of toxicologists e.g. UKRT, Spanish Register of Toxicologist, Austria Register of Toxicologists, Belgian Register of Toxicologists, etc. IRT can become a national lead from India to co-ordinate and collaborate with other international registries for harmonizing the process and official recognition of IRT in other countries as well.

(iii) Coverage & Applicability:Establishing such a system will be beneficial for working toxicologists who have their academic degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate) from various domains (Toxicology/ Zoology/ Biotech/ Pharmacy/ Veterinary/ Biology/ Chemistry/ Pharmacology/ Medicine/ Engineering/ Food Science & Technology/ Environmental Sciences/ Nutrition etc.), and are also presently working in varied suggested domains but not limited to (CRO/ Regulatory/ Academic/ Industry/ Drug Discovery & Development/ Chemicals/ Risk Assessment/ Medical Devices/ Veterinary/ Cosmetics/ Consumer Products/ Ecotoxicology/ Analytical/ Non-Clinical/ Environmental/ Occupational toxicology etc.).

(iv) Indigenous/ National Quality System: The most recognized global certification program so far in the field of toxicology is DABT, followed by ERT.

Establishing an indigenous system of certification will be helpful to enlist toxicologists who excel in the area of toxicology by high standards of education, skills, experience, and achievement. Against self-proclaimed experts, it would provide an authoritative source to disseminate this information to other individuals or entities who are interested e.g. regulators/ industry/ academic bodies, etc.

(v) Cost Involved: The two already existing global certification systems involve the following costs:

(a) DABT (Globally recognized): Application Fees: 300$ (approx. Rs. 21000), Exam Fees: 275$ (approx. Rs. 19000), Recertification Fees – 4thyear: 300$ (approx. Rs. 19000). Thus, a total expenditure of approx. Rs. 59000 in the first 5 years (Certification+1 Recertification).

(b) ERT (European Union): Fees for 5 years (application+ 1 renewal) varying from about 150 Euros (Rs. 12000; through Belgium Society of Toxicology) to 300 GBP (Rs.27000; through UK-Royal Society of Biology) varying with the European register through which ERT application is submitted.

Establishing an indigenous system at a lower cost (estimated: Application fees: Rs. 1000, Exam Fees: Rs. 5000, Recertification Fees – 4th year: Rs. 2500) with quality/credibility at par to global level will profoundly help Indian toxicologists to enhance their credentials and keep themselves competitive. It will involve a total expenditure of approx. Rs. 8500 in the first 5 years (Certification+1 Recertification). This is just a rough estimate at this time.

* Many of the Indian toxicologists are not able to attend global examination systems or apply for globally renowned registries because of the financial constraints. This platform will provide them the opportunity to get recognition for their knowledge and expertise in the area of toxicology  

(vi) Will stimulate advancement of science of toxicology: There are 5028 members in IPS (Indian Pharmacological Society), more than 1048 registered members in STOX (Society of Toxicology-as on Jan 2016), 662 members of ISVPT (Indian Society of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology-as on June 2018), 412 members of IST (Indian Society of Toxicology-as on Dec 2017).

However, only a total of about 86 people (as of Nov. 2019) within India are DABTs (Since 1980) and 22 people are ERT certified by different European societies. 

Building an indigenous system that is easily accessible to everybody will definitely encourage the study of the science of toxicology and stimulate its advancement by establishing standards for professional practice. Keeping a conservative approach, a target of 100-200 certified toxicologists within 5-10 years of inception is easily predictable keeping in consideration the number of registered members in various toxicological societies.

(vii) Building a Perpetual Development system for Toxicologists: Depending on the support and funding obtained, a system can be built where useful webinars/courses can be organized for the continual professional development of toxicologists with the help of similar boards/experts across the globe. 

(viii) Continuing Education: Formation/ development of this certification system, the board members may work on developing a system where relevant courses can be provided either in the form of webinars or lectures/workshops at different locations. Interested laboratories/institutions can be taken in the loop who can conduct particular courses at regular intervals and those courses can also be accredited/ certified.

(ix) Uniting and uniformity: It is expected that this certification system will bring all Working professionals in the field of Toxicology with different academic qualifications and expertise in different domains under one umbrella namely “Indian Board of Toxicology” (or whatever name is finalized later).

(x) Will act as self-motivator for toxicology professionals in India: IRT will help to enhance the prestige of the toxicology profession in India. This would ultimately prevent the decline in standards and motivate them to explore and exploit the new areas of toxicology. 

(xi) Career Growth and Monetary Benefits: After going through the rigorous and standard process of evaluation, IRT registered toxicologists would tend to get attractively from employers and clients and have more chances of career growth and job increments.

i) Will decrease the value of DABT in India: There is an opinion that creating an Indian system of registration will decrease the interest of candidates in appearing for DABT certification.

Reply: DABT has its own purpose, and people who are dealing with business from the US need to qualify it. So, this contradiction is not justifiable.

ii) Multiple Bodies may start a similar certification/registration: To make IRT a success, it is important that we should work in tandem with other Toxicology societies in India, e.g. STOX, to avoid/reduce the chances of bifurcation of this activity in future.

These are the deliberations discussed by the committee, your opinions in favor or against this nationalized Registry System for Toxicologists is

Let me hasten to add, The ToxGurukul Foundation (TGF) played no role in the deliberations and/or decision of the Committee. ToxGurukul is simply acting as a facilitator of the process in the interest of the Indian Toxicology Community.

With the permission of the above Committee, we are sharing the first of the “Pros and Cons” document for the public at large to review and send your comments, before it is finalized.

We request all of you to send your comments to toxgurukul.india@gmail.com which will be shared with the committee for their consideration in their ongoing deliberations. The democratic process can only work if you all share your comments at the formative stage, so that we have a broad base of participation.

Dr. K.S. Rao 

Patron -ToxGurukul Foundation