Expanding Clinical Trials to Enhance Diversity in South Carolina’s Medical University
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has been selected to participate in the Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine Development (EQBMED) Initiative. This initiative is designed to establish a network of community-based clinical trial sites that attract more people of color to engage in clinical research.
EQBMED’s Vision and Impact
EQBMED is led by Yale’s School of Medicine and is in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and the Research Centers in Minority Institutions Coordinating Center located at the Morehouse School of Medicine. The program is funded by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
The central objective of EQBMED is to link the researchers, communities, patients, and trial sponsors in a way that they can co-design research studies that will engage people of color. The initiative further aims to make these trials accessible to them in their local communities.
Traditional clinical trials are conducted primarily in urban academic medical centers with an expectation that participants will approach these centers. However, EQBMED plans to cut the distance and transportation costs barriers for rural residents, particularly those of color, thereby making significant progress in fostering their trust in science through outreach and community engagement activities.
The Role of MUSC in EQBMED
Dr. Rami Zebian, Chief Medical Officer at MUSC Health-Florence, expressed his gratitude in being chosen as one of the initial 10 community-facing clinical trial sites in historically underrepresented communities of color across the country. He believes that this partnership with EQBMED will be significantly beneficial to local patients and pave the way for more clinical trials in the region.
Before partnering with EQBMED, The South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research Institute (SCTR) at MUSC Health had already been working towards building research capacity throughout its Regional Health Network with funding from the Duke Endowment.
Challenges and Opportunities
The journey to expand clinical research was not easy, as there were certain barriers identified. Busy clinical schedules often prevented physicians from leading trials. The local community was not always aware of nearby clinical trials, and the timely delivery of study medications to community-based sites was a significant challenge.
However, with EQBMED, MUSC is poised for overcoming these persistent issues by working collaboratively with their hub partner, Yale. This partnership allows MUSC to build clinical trial infrastructure that truly benefits its diverse community of patients. MUSC Health-Florence will spearhead significant progress in fostering chair ties between community hospitals and communities of color and will select trials focusing on diseases most prevalent in the regional population.
The Road Ahead
SCTR Co-Director Dr. Patrick Flume, sees this partnership as a significant step in further sustainability and growth — ensuring that clinical research reaches the community.
This collaboration of MUSC Health-Florence with EQBMED will ensure that more of its patients and the surrounding communities have access to cutting-edge therapies through industry-sponsored clinical trials. It is a unique opportunity that increases both awareness of and access to clinical trials for the diverse community residing in the greater Florence area.
Finally, it’s important to note that the partnership goes beyond the benefit of one institution or one community. It stands to benefit the entire nation by ensuring that racially diverse communities across the Southeast and eventually across the country participate in clinical trials. This will yield more representative data to inform decisions regarding the approval of new drugs and therapies — amply demonstrating MUSC’s commitment to wellness, progress, and inclusivity in healthcare.
