Clarkston’s Erica Parks Murray, LaToya Lee Jones, and Brandon Miller recently attended the 8th Annual Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP) Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Over the course of 4 days, executives, physicians, scientists, researchers, clinical professionals, and technology experts gathered to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities driving unity in the life sciences industry. Given the extent of content shared, we’ve decided to split our key takeaways into two parts. You can read part one here: “Takeaways from WOCIP’s 8th Annual Conference.”

The theme of WOCIP’s 8th Annual Conference was “Unity – Amplify, Activate, Act.” Highlighting key session takeaways, we’ve broken down how organizations in the life sciences industry can go about achieving health equity in 2025, with a focus on representation, patient-centricity, and industry trends. 

Achieving Health Equity in 2025

Diverse Representation and Patient-Centricity are Key to Achieving Health Equity 

Another key theme that emerged across sessions was the importance of diverse representation as well as patient-centricity in achieving health equity. Here are key takeaways from just two of these sessions: 

“From Exclusion to Inclusion: Key Strategies for Improving Clinical Trial Enrollment Among Women of Color” was an illuminating session. The vulnerability these women demonstrated in sharing their personal insights was inspiring. Key points made include: 

• Women of color face barriers such as medical bias, limited awareness, and exclusionary eligibility criteria, which limit their participation in clinical trials. Bias from healthcare providers often means women of color are not informed of potential trial opportunities. 
• It is imperative to continuously educate ourselves about clinical research, medical innovations, and the benefits and risks of participation in critical trials.  Creating educational programs and raising awareness can help address common misconceptions and concerns. By staying informed, we can be empowered to make informed decisions, understand our rights, and inspire others in our communities to do the same.  
• Decentralized and hybrid clinical trials, which allow participants to engage from their own communities, are more inclusive for those who may not have the time or resources for regular visits to distant trial sites. Inclusive eligibility criteria also ensure trials accurately reflect diverse populations. 
• No matter where you are in your organization, you can push for institutional and organizational policies that ensure diverse recruitment is embedded in trial design from the start. Monitor and track clinical trial sponsors’ efforts toward equitable enrollment, transparent reporting on trial demographics and ensuring the trials reflect the communities they aim to serve. 
• Decentralized and hybrid clinical trials, which allow participants to engage from their own communities, are more inclusive for those who may not have the time or resources for regular visits to distant trial sites. Inclusive eligibility criteria also ensure trials accurately reflect diverse populations. 
• Companies have always had a moral, ethical, and scientific rationale for diversifying clinical trials, but now with new guidance from regulatory bodies such as the FDA and MHRA, there is now a regulatory obligation as well.  So, it has become a business imperative that actions are taken to ensure inclusivity throughout every aspect of the clinical lifecycle. This may mean becoming embedded in neighborhoods where there are populations of folks the therapy is meant to treat, building capacity by leveraging nontraditional educational centers as sites (such as HBCUs) and breaking down barriers to access such as selection criteria that disproportionately excludes women of color. 

In “Empowering Inclusive Research: Decoding FDA’s Diversity Action Plan Guidance & Applying ICER’s Measurement Framework,” the speakers discussed the importance of including diverse participants in clinical trials to promote health equity and build confidence in the safety and effectiveness of medical products. The FDA has a long-standing commitment to clinical trial diversity, as evidenced by various initiatives and guidance documents. By prioritizing diversity in clinical trials, we can ensure that medical products are safe and effective for all populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, or socioeconomic status. They also talked about key challenges that include limited data availability, global trial complexities, and socioeconomic disparities. To address these challenges, the speakers emphasized the need for proactive planning, diverse workforce, and community engagement. Also highlighted was the importance of transparent data reporting, such as through the FDA’s Drug Trial Snapshots initiative.  

By addressing these challenges and seizing these opportunities, we can work towards a future where clinical trials are truly representative of the populations they serve. 

Factors Driving Industry-Wide Transformation

Finally, we reflected on the past year and looked ahead towards 2025 in “Keke About 2024 Industry Trends.” We learned that the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a period of significant transformation, driven by a variety of factors, including technological advancements, evolving regulatory landscapes, and increasing patient expectations. 

One of the most pressing challenges facing the industry is the rising cost of prescription drugs. This has led to increased scrutiny from policymakers and patients, resulting in stricter price controls and greater transparency. To address this, pharmaceutical companies are exploring innovative pricing models, such as tiered pricing and outcome-based contracts, to improve affordability and access. 

Another major challenge is the increasing complexity of the regulatory environment. As regulatory hurdles become more stringent, drug development timelines are lengthening, and costs are rising. To navigate this complex landscape, pharmaceutical companies are investing in regulatory affairs expertise and leveraging advanced technologies to streamline the drug development process. 

Furthermore, the industry is facing a talent shortage, particularly in key areas like research and development, clinical operations, and regulatory affairs. To attract and retain top talent, companies are focusing on creating a positive work culture, offering competitive compensation packages, and providing opportunities for professional development. 

Final Thoughts 

In order to achieve health equity in 2025, organizations must keep these key trends in mind while prioritizing diverse representation and patient-centricity. The pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a period of significant change, but by addressing the challenges of pricing pressure, regulatory complexity, talent shortages, and increasing patient expectations, the industry can continue to deliver innovative therapies and improve patient outcomes. 

Looking for help achieving health equity in 2025? Learn more about our Health Equity Consulting Services today.