On Thursday 12 June the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) published a joint report calling improvements to inclusivity in clinical research in the UK.
The report identifies three areas of recommended action to improve inclusivity in clinical research:
- Action 1: a UK-wide strategy and roadmap is needed to drive greater diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. The Health Research Authority (HRA) is well placed to convene a sector-wide group to take this action forward
- Action 2: the ABPI, AMRC, NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) should commit to sharing and promoting best practice for improving clinical research inclusion, with stakeholders across the UK research community
- Action 3: the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) should work with the NIHR and devolved nations to develop an approach by the end of 2025 for measuring, collecting and reporting clinical trial diversity, with an accompanying timeline for implementation
Our Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships, Naho Yamazaki, who helped contribute to the report, welcomes the recommendations made by ABPI and AMRC.
Naho Yamazaki, Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships, Health Research Authority“We welcome ABPI and AMRC’s report that calls for more inclusivity in clinical research.
“Including a diverse group of people in research provides a better understanding of the most effective treatment, device and care for different groups of people. This information can ensure people get the best healthcare for them and help reduce health inequalities. Tackling persistent inequalities in health is a key priority for the government to put the NHS on a sustainable footing for the future.
“We are proud to be leading work alongside the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to encourage and support researchers to make sure that the people their research is for and about can take part.”
“This is one of a number of initiatives to increase access to and inclusion in clinical trials that are being taken forward by the UK Clinical Research Delivery Programme partners. Together these will make change happen to the way that research takes place in the UK.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely together to align, connect and champion this work so that more people can benefit from research findings faster."