Emma Pinkerton, AbbVie's director of country clinical operations management for Australia and New Zealand, writes that International Clinical Trials Day is an opportunity to reflect on their contribution to patient health.
I am certain we all can agree on the importance of clinical trials in advancing modern medicine and expanding treatment options. However, what is commonly overlooked is the role and contribution that thousands of Australians play in driving new, innovative pharmaceutical research.
Successful health outcomes for patients could not be achieved without the effort of the clinical trials community. We might not know them personally, but they are working behind the scenes on more than one thousand new clinical trials every year.
Days like International Clinical Trials Day are a timely reminder to reflect and celebrate the community of researchers, doctors, nurses, volunteers and others who impact the lives of Australian patients every day. If it wasn’t for their contributions, we would not have access to the treatments and therapies that are now commonplace; nor could we have hope to find new, safe and more effective treatments for diseases that impact our community.
These remarkable individuals share the common goal of driving tangible positive outcomes to help patients all over the world. And key among them are clinical trial participants, without whom any advancement would simply not be achievable.
From the perspective of a recently diagnosed patient, deciding to participate in a clinical trial involves much more than just making an informed decision on the best course of treatment to follow. In most cases, it also involves coming to terms with their illness, understanding what treatments are available and other unexpected repercussions to their lives they may have to consider following a diagnosis.
For this reason, I am deeply appreciative of all the people who decide to take part in a clinical trial. I admire their courage and the care they demonstrate not only towards themselves but also for anyone that might be impacted by a similar condition in need of treatment. I truly believe this is one of the most selfless gifts someone could give – to essentially be a co-creator of a better future for the generations to come.
While it’s important for us to recognise the progress so far, it is also necessary to acknowledge areas where there is room to improve. Analysing how and what we can do better, will help to continue to elevate the relevance of clinical trials and ensure they are representative of patients in our communities.
At AbbVie Australia, we value and promote diversity – and not just in our workplaces, but also in the context of clinical trials participation. Ensuring greater diversity in clinical trials participants is crucial in order for us to understand the unique racial and gender differences that can impact the safety and efficacy of new medicines, especially as we move towards a personalized medicine approach. It’s also vital to collect insights into the impact that culture can have on the acceptance and access to healthcare.
We are working towards eliminating language barriers and accounting for cultural and ethnic differences. This can be improved by providing tailored support to health care professionals and patients with the aid of educational resources and modern translating technologies. Further, there is work to be done in elevating flexibility and accessibility of clinical trials to guarantee every patient the opportunity to participate.
My hope is that in the future, more regional and rural medical facilities will have the chance to offer their patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials. That would be a big step towards further signalling the need for inclusion and diversity in medical research.
On behalf of the AbbVie Australia clinical team, I celebrate and recognise the legacy that everyone involved in clinical trials offers to the broader Australian community. Together we are all playing a part in shaping innovation in medicines and treatments for future generations.
At AbbVie we want to keep creating medicines that have a positive impact on patients’ lives. Clinical trials are a core to this. Innovation is not just a part of our vision, but the true element that drives our work and our treatments.
Please join me in celebrating the incredible work of those who are advancing medical research through clinical trials in the comments.
Emma Pinkerton
