The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to provide details on the number of deaths and severe adverse effects caused to people who were subjected to clinical trials.

Expressing concern over the issue, a bench headed by Justice RM Lodha yesterday said that the government must take a balanced approach so that development in the areas of research is not hampered and at the same time people's lives are also protected.

The court passed the order after it found that there were discrepancies in the numbers given by the petitioner NGO and the government.

The court also said that compensation was granted only to kin of those who died during the trials and asked why it should not be paid to those who were severely effected but alive.

It also directed the Centre to file an affidavit on what steps it was taking for making provision of payment of compensation to people who are affected in clinical trial.

The PIL filed by an NGO has sought directions for regulation of clinical trials of new drugs and chemical entities.