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Diverse Voices, Stronger Science

Empowering diverse communities to learn about and participate in medical research

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Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion in medical research important?

For a new investigational medicine to truly help the people it is intended for, individuals from diverse backgrounds need to be part of the research studies for that medicine. People of different genders, ages, ethnic backgrounds, physical capabilities, and socioeconomic statuses are needed.

Our goal at Teva Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Teva") is to ensure that people from all backgrounds and walks of life have access to our research studies.

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There has been a long history of inequality in medical research, leading to underrepresentation of some communities.

Some reasons for the lack of diversity include:

  • Unconscious bias because of personal beliefs about who may be interested or capable of participating.

    Unconscious bias because of personal beliefs about who may be interested or capable of participating.

  • Medical mistrust due to historical events and patients’ personal experiences with the healthcare system.

    Medical mistrust due to historical events and patients’ personal experiences with the healthcare system.

  • Lack of knowledge/awareness because patients simply don’t know these options exist, and medical professionals may not have time to stay up-to-date on available studies.

    Lack of knowledge/awareness because patients simply don’t know these options exist, and medical professionals may not have time to stay up-to-date on available studies.

  • Inaccessibility due to factors that make participation difficult (such as language barrier, disability, or time/expense to get to the study site).

    Inaccessibility due to factors that make participation difficult (such as language barrier, disability, or time/expense to get to the study site).

By recognizing these factors, we can now do better to ensure everyone has access to research studies.

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Today’s research studies are designed to overcome challenges.

  • Building trust: Better ethical principles, oversight by multiple parties, and transparency with study participants are helping to overcome medical mistrust.
  • Increasing knowledge/awareness: Educational initiatives and community outreach are helping to educate diverse communities and raise awareness about opportunities to participate in research studies.
  • Reducing bias: Diversity initiatives are helping to broaden who is invited to participate in research studies.
  • Improving accessibility: Participant support related to language, transportation, and cost factors are making research studies more accessible to people in diverse communities.

At Teva, we are committed to ensuring people in underserved communities have a voice in our research studies.

Some key facts about research studies

  • Research that tests how well new investigational medical approaches work in people is called a clinical trial or clinical study. Investigational means a potential drug, treatment, or vaccine is not approved by the FDA, but can be given to people as part of a clinical study.
  • Studies in people are only done after years of laboratory research show that an investigational medicine/treatment may be useful.
  • These studies are done in phases:
    • Phase 1: First use of a new investigational medicine/treatment, usually in healthy volunteers
    • Phase 2: Initial testing in patients to learn about whether the investigational medicine/treatment works to prevent or treat the proposed indicated.
    • Phase 3: Further testing to learn about how well the investigational medicine/treatment works in the disease that it is meant to treat, to determine the correct dosage, and to better understand possible side effects.
    • Phase 4: After a medicine/treatment is approved, Phase 4 studies are a way to keep learning about a medicine/treatment in the real world when doctors prescribe it in everyday medical practice
  • In today’s research studies, participants’ health and safety are the most important things.
  • Being in a research study is 100% voluntary. A participant can decide to stop being in a study at any time.
  • Data collected from research studies form the foundation for approval of new medicines/treatments by health authorities.
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Diversity in research studies is improving, but there is still work to be done.

Ready to learn more about medical research and how to access potentially life-changing research studies?

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Interested in finding out about research studies you may be able to participate in?

Check out these resources:

Teva Clinical Trials