PhRMA funds clinical trial initiative to achieve greater diversity
Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development will get more underrepresented patients involved in the R&D of medical treatments.
From left, PhRMA CEO and president Stephen Ubl and Dr. Nancy J. Brown of the Yale School of Medicine introduce the Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development during a Zoom press conference on Tuesday.
Photo: HIMSS Media
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is funding a clinical trial initiative to enhance diversity, which has been lacking in the development of new drugs.
The initial $10 million grant will fund an 18-month pilot at ten community sites located in the southern United States.
PhRMA is collaborating on the Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development with the Yale School of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center at Morehouse School of Medicine and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Clinical trials have long been challenged in getting enough participation, particularly in getting a diverse population.
PhRMA CEO and president Stephen Ubl said during Tuesday's announcement that though organizations have been working on these issues for years, COVID-19 created a turning point when it brought to light inequities in healthcare.
Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine said, "Clinical trial diversity is an issue of fairness. People may want to participate in a trial, but they don't have the information. There's limited diversity."
The initiative will connect community-based trial sites in diverse communities and will fund the training, technical support and mentorship at the 10 sites.
THE LARGER TREND
The initiative follows more than two years of PhRMA-led stakeholder engagement to assess barriers to clinical trial participation. Barriers include a lack of outreach, available sites in historically underserved communities and patient mistrust.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the biopharmaceutical industry have been working with underrepresented communities to break down barriers to participation in clinical trials for decades, PhRMA said.
The lack of diversity in clinical trials affects drug development, according to Chris Boone, speaking at HIMSS21 in Las Vegas. Boone is vice president, Global Head of Health Economics and Outcomes Research at Abbvie.
ON THE RECORD
"Our goal is to make sure all people, regardless of geography, socioeconomics, race, ethnicity or gender identity, who want to participate in a clinical trial, have the opportunity to do so," said Ramona Sequeira, president of Takeda's Global Portfolio Division and chair of the PhRMA board of directors.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org
