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DEERFIELD, Ill. – Serving communities nationwide for over 120 years, Walgreens continues to build on its legacy as a trusted retail pharmacy partner. The company serves more than 9 million patients and customers each day. Today, Walgreens is strengthening its commitment to patients and partners through the creation of the Walgreens Clinical Trials Patient Advisory Board.
Since it was first introduced in June 2022, the Walgreens Clinical Trials team has worked with more than 7 million patients, identifying potential candidates for sponsor-led clinical trials. As the team expands its efforts and raises awareness of the importance of community-focused clinical research, the newly formed Patient Advisory Board will play a critical role. Board members will provide valuable patient insights that will help guide the delivery and advancement of clinical trials.
The inaugural Patient Advisory Board consists of 10 patient experts who bring both personal and professional experience to inform clinical trial recruitment and retention efforts. Their focus will be on increasing access and ensuring broader representation in clinical research, especially within communities that have historically been underrepresented. Ramita Tandon, Walgreens' Chief Biopharma Services Officer, is leading the initiative as part of the company's ongoing commitment to bringing community-based clinical research to those who can benefit from it.
“I am proud to engage with our inaugural cohort of Patient Advisory Board members to increase awareness and representation in clinical trials. Only 5% of the U.S. population participates in clinical trials and nearly 80% of trials fail to meet their enrollment goals, often contributing to delays in bringing new medications to patients,” said Tandon. “Our Patient Advisory Board members will help inform how we approach our sponsor-led clinical trials to better serve our patients and partners.”
As the regulatory landscape increasingly emphasizes patient perspectives in medical product development, the growth of precision medicine makes it more essential than ever to include patients with real-world experience in clinical research. Their voices provide critical insights that will help improve clinical trials and, ultimately, patient care.
Members of the Walgreens Clinical Trials Patient Advisory Board will serve a two-year term, offering ongoing counsel, diverse perspectives, and expertise to help guide Walgreens’ clinical trials initiatives.
To learn more about Walgreens Clinical Trials click here.
