Inclusivity, collaboration and targeted care

In our cover story this month, Danny Buckland looks at inclusivity, collaboration and targeted care, and why the challenge of achieving inclusivity for ethnic minorities and women in clinical trials is such a Herculean one.

As Danny says: “The value of inclusivity in health could be immeasurable in tackling disparities that manifest in reduced access to anything from screening and diagnostics to the latest therapies and care, and varying levels of life expectancy influenced by geography income, education, ethnicity and employment status.

“The challenge is huge: ethnic minorities and women are vastly under-represented in clinical trials despite healthcare provision and research showing a clear link between certain patient populations and lower health outcomes.

“Innovation and effort is being channelled into righting this wrong through deeper engagement with patient groups, reformulation of regulation and pharmaceutical companies committing to increasing their reach.” Find out more on page 26.

Also in this issue, an article on pharmacovigilance looks at why local knowledge is so key to global outcomes. As the authors say: “The challenge for companies is to ensure their local affiliates meet local pharmacovigilance (PV) obligations while staying aligned with global PV requirements.

Often, however, companies lack PV expertise at the local level and struggle to achieve a coordinated approach to global PV operations, which results in inefficiencies, delays or non-compliance.” Find out more on page 16.

Looking at the EU vs US perspectives on key clinical trial trends, the article on page 20 highlights the distinct priorities and hurdles faced by sponsors, CROs and sites around the world. As Tanya Kogan says: “One of the most challenging aspects of conducting clinical research is its global nature, as there are significant variances in regional requirements and obstacles. Regulatory, cultural and logistical factors all impact trial design, start-up and execution.”

Our next issue, in March 2025, will look at optimising omnichannel engagement with healthcare professionals. If you would like to make your voice heard on this topic, please get in touch at sales@pmlive.com

I hope you enjoy this issue!

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