June 20th 2023.
Black Americans of every age have reportedly been facing higher death rates than any other racial or ethnic group due to many types of cancer. In an effort to combat this, pharmacy giant Walgreens is launching a new initiative that could have a major impact.
Walgreens has recently announced a multi-year partnership with biotech firm Freenome to advance clinical studies of Freenome’s blood-based tests for early cancer detection. Walgreens plans to use its vast network to engage diverse patient populations in Freenome’s multi-cancer research program. This is in line with the National Cancer Plan’s goals of detecting cancer early and eliminating inequities.
It has been noted that Blacks have been largely excluded from clinical research due to past and current systemic medical mistreatment, leading to distrust of the healthcare system. Additionally, they have been historically underrepresented in clinical trials across disease categories. Walgreens intends to make these studies more accessible and friendly, in the hope that more people will be willing to take part.
To kick off this venture, Walgreens will be recruiting patients for Freenome’s Sanderson Study. With the aim of enrolling around 8,000 participants, Walgreens healthcare providers will perform a single blood draw at one of their clinical trial retail locations, plus conduct a telehealth patient follow-up one year after participating.
Walgreens’ Chief Clinical Trials Officer, Ramita Tandon, expressed that “At Walgreens, our aim is to help every community we serve see clinical research as a viable care option. Through our nationwide presence and trusted pharmacists, we can reach and engage previously underserved patient populations for clinical trials.”
Freenome’s Chief Medical Officer, Lance Baldo, added “Freenome’s goal is to make early cancer screening more convenient for everyone, and our clinical research should reflect that availability and accessibility. With community reach, study conduct capabilities, national presence, and real-world data generation resources, Walgreens is a natural partner to help deliver on that goal.”
This is an incredibly important initiative that could make a huge difference in the fight against cancer. Walgreens’ commitment to recruiting patients and conducting clinical trials has the potential to reduce the death rate of Black Americans due to cancer and bridge the gap in healthcare inequality.
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