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Equity in clinical trial research: What does it mean?

Different people may have different reactions to the same treatment based on their age, gender, weight, race, ethnicity, and other factors. Equity in clinical trials means that the participants in clinical trials represent the people who are most likely to have the health condition and need the treatment that the trial is testing. However, health disparities across communities of colour have caused gaps in science and the development of lifesaving treatments for all. To create equitable clinical trial research, more work is needed on everyone’s part.

Inequality in clinical research

In the history of clinical research, people’s race and socioeconomic status were often used against them. This has led to distrust for the medical community and clinical research in many communities of colour.

No one can change history, only learn from its mistakes and do better. Merck has implemented programs and policies to ensure transparent research and equal access to clinical trials.

What’s being done about it

Lowering health disparities means enrolling a wide range of participants in clinical trials to make sure vaccines and medicines work across ethnicities, races, and genders.

Select clinical trial sites with inclusion in mind

Partnering with trial sites that closely reflect diverse patient population.

Work with members of the community

Seeking out community-based organizations in trial site areas to help build trust and broaden community participation in research.

 

Tailored outreach and communication

Providing training for research teams to use educational materials that resonate with and inform specific patient populations.

Commitment to diversity

Committed to enrolling diverse people in clinical trials around the world, such as:

  • People of colour
  • Different ethnicities
  • Different genders and ages
  • LGBTQI+
  • People from different socioeconomic backgrounds

Enrolment in clinical trials continues to evolve in order to achieve the right balance of participants to bring new medicines to all people.

Worldwide clinical trials

Clinical trials conducted in more than 50 countries to ensure medicines and vaccines meet the needs of people across the world.

Visit the Diversity & Inclusion page on Merck.ca for more information.

To learn more, visit Merck.ca