Source: AstraZeneca
To address the lack of ethnically diverse patients in clinical trials across the U.S., AstraZeneca announced today, in collaboration with the National Medical Association (NMA) and the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons (ICPS), new efforts to increase ethnically diverse physician investigator participation in clinical trials. Through increased educational and clinical trial investigator certification opportunities, these efforts aim to educate and encourage diverse physicians to become investigators who can then successfully recruit and retain diverse patients to participate in future clinical trials.
Currently, African American physicians represent about three percent of physicians in the U.S., and Hispanics represent less than three percent(i). Given that only 13 percent(ii) of all physicians in the U.S. participate as investigators in clinical trials, it is clear that diverse physicians are underrepresented in this role(iii).
"Through our partnerships with the National Medical Association and the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons, AstraZeneca is taking an important first step to address the disparity of minority representation in clinical trials," said Cathy Bonuccelli, MD, vice president, External Scientific Affairs, AstraZeneca. "We acknowledge there is much to be done when it comes to addressing this issue, so we are committed to continuing our partnerships with NMA and ICPS, and working together to increase diverse clinical trial participation in the U.S."
Physicians with ethnically diverse backgrounds are an important part of the clinical trial process because they are more likely to treat minority patients(iv) and can provide valuable insights into the cultural nuances of specific communities.(v) Therefore, the increased participation of ethnically diverse physicians in clinical trials helps ensure the most relevant research outcomes and the development of more targeted treatment options.
AstraZeneca will address participation of diverse physicians in the clinical trial process by supporting initiatives spearheaded by NMA, which represents more than 30,000 African American physicians, and ICPS, a network of more than 39,000 Hispanic physicians throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. The partnership will strengthen Project IMPACT, an NMA program focused on increasing African American participation in clinical trials, and support ICPS' Hispanic Physicians Network, an initiative that recruits Hispanic physicians to participate in clinical trials by providing tools and resources at the local level.
The National Medical Association recognizes that the lack of African American physicians as clinical trial investigators has a significant impact on health outcomes for African American patients. "The inadequate representation of minority physicians engaged in clinical research impacts the quality of medical care provided to our racially and ethnically diverse patient population," said Albert Morris, MD, president, National Medical Association. "It is imperative that we elevate the level of knowledge of clinical research in our communities and achieve greater participation of minorities in clinical trials if we are to improve the quality of care provided to our patients. This is why the National Medical Association has partnered with AstraZeneca to strengthen and support initiatives such as Project IMPACT (Increase Minority Participation and Awareness of Clinical Trials)."
"The Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons is committed to increasing diversity in clinical trials to improve health status and outcomes for specific populations and is doing so through programs such as the Hispanic Research Network," said Rene Rodriguez, MD, president, Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons. "By partnering with AstraZeneca, our goal is to reach Hispanic physicians with the tools and resources they need to take a leadership role in clinical trial management and recruitment."
Providing significant grants to both organizations to be distributed over the next five years solidifies AstraZeneca's commitment to discovering, developing and delivering effective medicine and treatment options for diverse populations. It also creates an ongoing partnership with the National Medical Association and the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons that will ensure physicians of diverse backgrounds receive the education and tools they need to participate as investigators in clinical trials.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $26.47 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.
In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $12.44 billion healthcare business with more than 12,000 employees. For nearly three decades, AstraZeneca has offered drug assistance programs side by side with its medicines, and over the past five years, has provided over $3 billion in savings to more than 1 million patients throughout the US and Puerto Rico. AstraZeneca has been named one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine and is the only large pharmaceutical company named to FORTUNE magazine's 2007 list of "100 Best Companies to Work For." In 2006, for the fifth consecutive year, Science magazine named AstraZeneca a "Top Employer" on its ranking of the world's most respected biopharmaceutical employers.
For more information about AstraZeneca, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com
About the Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons
The Interamerican College of Physicians and Surgeons (ICPS), the largest association of Hispanic physicians in the nation, was founded in 1979 to improve the health of Hispanics and advance the professional and educational needs of Hispanic physicians in the United States. ICPS seeks to improve the health of Hispanic communities, reduce the incidence of preventable diseases, provide educational and leadership opportunities for Hispanic physicians and encourage Hispanic youth to pursue careers in the health care field.
The ICPS reaches the Hispanic medical community in the United States and Puerto Rico - over 39,000 physicians - as well as health professionals in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain through its publications, conferences, and links to Hispanic medical societies.
For additional information about ICPS, visit: www.icps.org
About the National Medical Association
The National Medical Association (NMA) is the nation's oldest and largest professional organization representing the interests of more than 30,000 African-American physicians and 24 medical specialties. The NMA was established in 1895 and remains committed to improving the health status and outcomes of African Americans and underserved populations. For additional information about the NMA, visit: www.nmanet.org.
i Castillo, L. Diversity in the Physician Workforce Facts and Figures 2006. Association of American Medical Colleges. Available from: www.aamc.org/factsandfigures
ii Harris Interactive. "Most Physicians Do Not Participate in Clinical Trials Because of Lack of Opportunity, Time, Personnel Support and Resources. Press release, June 11, 2004. Available from: http://harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=811
iii Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine. http://www.web.msm.edu/CRC/cpn.htm
iv Gray B, et al. Patient-physician pairing: Does racial and ethnic congruity influence selection of a regular physician? Journal of Community Health, 1997. 22(4): 247-59
v Gavin, James R. 2006. "Opportunities and challenges for enrichment of the diversity pipeline," PowerPoint presented at an University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Academia and Industry Symposium on Diversity and Inclusion, October 6, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
CONTACT: Elizabeth Shaheen-Dumke, +1-302-885-6684,elizabeth.shaheen-dumke@astrazeneca.com, or Emily Denney, +1-302-885-3451,emily.denney@astrazeneca.com, both of AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP
Web site: http://www.astrazeneca-us.com/http://www.icps.org/http://www.nmanet.org/
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