Roche, a multinational biotechnology healthcare company, has expressed concern over the low representation of Africa in global pharma studies. The company revealed that only 2.4 percent of patients from the continent are enrolled in annual global clinical trials. This is despite the fact that Africa deals with over 24 percent of the global disease burden.
These disturbing statistics were disclosed during a technical presentation by Roche. The presentation explained why the company launched the pilot Roche Advancing Inclusive Research Africa Site Alliance Project in Africa.
Speaking during the launch of the project, the Medical Director of Roche Products Nigeria Limited, Dr. Bola Oyedeji, stated that the mission of Roche is to deliver three to five times more benefits to patients at half the cost to society. He noted that the project would help in closing the data gaps and improving health in the long term for alls and Africans.
“Only 2.4 percent of clinical trials in the world are conducted in Africa and only two percent of global genetic data is from Africa clinical trials out of the eight billion world population,” said Oyedeji.
He added that the Roche Advancing Inclusive Research Africa Site Alliance project aims to create a site network in Africa that will enable the recruitment and retention of underrepresented patient populations. This will enrich science and enable the delivery of innovation, thus eliminating disparity in outcomes for all patients.
Roche is committed to advancing healthcare in Africa, and the company believes that the Roche Advancing Inclusive Research Africa Site Alliance Project will go a long way in bridging the gap between Africa and the rest of the world in terms of participation in global pharma studies.
The Roche Advancing Inclusive Research Africa Site Alliance Project is expected to enhance the capacity of African research sites, promote international research collaborations, and increase the participation of African patients in global pharma studies. The project will be executed in collaboration with local African research institutions and pharmaceutical companies.
According to Dr. Oyedeji, the project will help in building the capacity of African researchers and enhancing their expertise in clinical research. He stated that the project would also contribute to the development of a strong and sustainable research infrastructure in Africa.
The Roche Advancing Inclusive Research Africa Site Alliance Project is a laudable initiative that will help to address the disparities in global pharma studies. With the project, more African patients will be able to participate in clinical trials, and the continent will be better represented in global pharma studies.
