Diversity Targets in Drug Trials a Goal for Key House Lawmaker (1)

Drug companies would be required to set targets and develop action plans for diversifying their clinical trial populations under a bill in the works by a key House lawmaker on health policy.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) said the bill ultimately would boost confidence among Black, Hispanic and other groups that have been historically underrepresented in studies used by the Food and Drug Administration to decide whether to approve these products. Improving clinical trial diversity would give patients a better idea of how well the drug works in them and others in their demographic, Eshoo said.

“I’m working on legislation to ...