According to the CDC, Native Americans, African-Americans, and Latinx people are three times more likely to contract COVID-19. And they are 4-5X more likely to be hospitalized due to it. Yet, people of color are underrepresented in COVID-19 clinical trials. That’s a serious problem!
In 1993 the U.S. passed the NIH Revitalization Act, establishing guidelines for the inclusion of women and minorities in clinical research. Not much has changed since 1993. There is a disparity between people of color and clinical trials. In this session, our experts will weigh in on this systemic problem, the advancements that will ensure more inclusivity, and how start-ups can lead the change.
SPEAKERS
Rose Blackburne, MD, MBA, Executive Medical Director of Global Product Development, PPD
Dr. Rose Blackburne joined PPD in 2015. As Global Head of the General Medicine portfolio, which includes Women’s Health, Nephrology, Dermatology, Urology, she has strategic input and oversight for a portfolio of pharmaceutical and medical device product development opportunities across these areas. Dr. Blackburne is a globally recognized leader in product development and has been instrumental in numerous approvals for pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices and diagnostic tests. Dr. Blackburne is passionate about improving health outcomes and health care delivery and has extensive expertise in Women’s Health and Minority Health Policy.
Ronke Dosunmu, MD, Pediatrician, Founder of Foundation Pediatrics
Dr. Ronke Dosunmu is a board-certified pediatrician and is the founder of Foundation Pediatrics, a 25-year-old private practice serving an inner-city area in Northern NJ. She has worked for many major pharmaceutical companies as well as consulted in the field of drug safety and pharmacovigilance. She is an experienced Principal investigator and knows first hand the difficulty with recruiting minorities into clinical trials. Dr. Dosunmu is passionate about reducing healthcare disparities, especially in clinical research participation.
R’Kes Starling, RPh, MBA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Reveles Clinical Services
As CEO and Founder of Reveles Clinical Services, R’Kes has over 18 years providing high-touch pharmacy services, clinical reach operations, specialty drug distribution, and clinical management to patients with rare and complex diseases such as Chronic Kidney disease, Cancer, Hemophilia and Cystic Fibrosis. Additionally, R’Kes has consulted and worked collaboratively with over 30 biopharmaceutical companies on pre-launch to commercialization development, launch strategies, and patient access programs for new specialty pharmaceutical therapies.
MODERATOR
Rachael Fones, Director, Government & Public Affairs at IQVIA
Rachael Fones facilitates IQVIA’s engagement in public policy discussions with elected officials, regulatory bodies, industry associations, and patient and issue advocacy groups. With 14 years at IQVIA, previously Quintiles, she specializes in identifying policy opportunities and collaborations to advance the broader clinical research enterprise. Prior to joining Quintiles, Fones served as a senior public relations and third-party advocacy consultant for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida in Jacksonville, Fla., and Executive Director of the Health Care Quality Alliance (HCQA) in Washington, D.C.
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