An interview on why clinical trial diversity is important, and the need for including underserved and underrepresented communities in the development of new medicines.

PhRMA member companies are taking individual steps to build trust and encourage broader, more diverse clinical trial participation. See dozens of case studies covering this work.

The EQBMED program, funded by a grant from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), is an initiative to advance community-centric approaches to increase the participation of underrepresented patients in clinical research.

The FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity: Working to advance health equity through diversity in research

The COVID-19 pandemic is the worst public health emergency the world has encountered in over a century and one that has universally impacted the social, political, economic and medical fabric of our lives; it has also exposed significant and systemic health disparities in health care. The disproportionate rates of infection and of disease-related mortality of people of color have been well-documented. Given these disparities, it is critical that trials for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics ensure diverse participation. The few exceptions that have been reported, however, prove that recruitment and retention of underserved populations is possible with effort, planning and intentionality of purpose.

A conversation on why a community-centric approach is needed to build trust, increase awareness, enhance clinical trial diversity and advance health equity.

PhRMA member companies share how they are improving clinical trial diversity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has left no person unaffected, but Black Americans have been disproportionately impacted. Black adults are nearly four times more likely to be hospitalized from the virus and nearly three times more likely to die from the virus than their white counterparts. At the same time, recent polls highlight COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy within Black communities. In fact, only one in four Black Americans (24%) plan to get the vaccine compared to other racial and ethnic groups, and Black Americans are significantly trailing in vaccination rates.

Strengthening a culture dedicated to patients and equity: A conversation with Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis