Why Diverse Representation in Clinical Research Matters

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), where study participants are randomly allocated to an experimental group or a control group, became the 'gold standard' of clinical research in the mid-20th century. [1] RCTs have historically enrolled proportionally more white men than people from other groups, with the thinking, at least in part, being that the results could be extrapolated to all populations. Subsequent research, however, has shown that this is not the case, as underrepresented groups may have different responses to the disease or drug, based on social, cultural and other contexts. [2] Diversity in clinical trials, which is about so much more than differences in biology, is therefore an essential part of ensuring that everyone has equitable access to the most effective and safest approaches to treatment. 
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