The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and the Association of Medical Research Charities highlight the challenges in clinical trials reflecting the diversity of patients.
Encouraging participation of a wide range of diverse communities in clinical research is essential to make sure that innovative medicines meet the needs of the people for whom they are intended.
A new report from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) comes in the context of challenges in clinical trials reflecting the diversity of patients who may be eligible to take part in these studies.
An Ipsos 2024 study found that while 58% of UK adults were willing to participate in clinical trials, this dropped to 41% among ethnic minority adults.
The survey also highlighted gender disparities within ethnic minority groups. Black, African, or Caribbean women were more likely to feel uncomfortable in healthcare environments – 19% in comparison to 15% for the broader ethnic minority group – and almost one in five reported feeling unheard by trial staff.
“It is important that a representative population participates in clinical trials to ensure that the medicines produced work effectively across the patient group they are intended to treat,” said Janet Valentine, executive director of innovation and research policy at the ABPI.
“Prioritising diversity and inclusivity in clinical research strengthens the validity and generalisability of study findings, which means that more patients can benefit from the latest innovative medicines. We hope this report catalyses the necessary system changes that will support more eligible patients taking part in clinical research,” she continued.
Practical barriers
Practical barriers that prevent diverse populations from participating in clinical research include financial burdens, such as travel costs, childcare expenses, and lost wages. Also, most clinical trial appointments tend to be during weekdays, making it difficult for many individuals to participate if they cannot take time off from work.
Solutions to addressing these barriers might include providing financial support in the form of stipends, reimbursements, or other financial assistance to cover transportation, childcare, and lost wages to make participation more feasible; conducting trials in community health centres, local clinics, and mobile units to enable researchers to engage rural and underserved urban populations; and relaxing unnecessarily restrictive eligibility criteria and protocol designs, for example, offering trials in multiple languages and providing translation services to accommodate non-native speakers.
“The participation of diverse and under-served groups in research is essential to improving our understanding of how illnesses affect different people and ensure that new innovations work safely and effectively for everyone,” said Nicola Perrin, chief executive of the AMRC.
