Walgreens Partners with U.S. Government to Advance Decentralized Clinical Trials

Walgreens has entered into a partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to enhance decentralized clinical trial capabilities in the United States.

The collaboration is part of the Decentralized Clinical Operations for Healthcare and Research (D-COHRe) program, with a potential value of up to $100 million over five years. The program aims to improve U.S. decentralized clinical research infrastructure, focusing on the development of FDA-regulated products and the evaluation of medical countermeasures in real-world settings, particularly during public health emergencies.

Since launching its clinical trial ecosystem in 2022, Walgreens has reached over five million patients, making clinical trials more accessible and representative of the U.S. population. The company uses its retail footprint and decentralized clinical trial platform to recruit participants, addressing common challenges in clinical trial enrollment.

Walgreens' Chief Clinical Trials Officer, Ramita Tandon, highlighted the partnership's potential to integrate clinical research into routine healthcare, especially during critical times like public health emergencies. The company is also collaborating with BARDA on a Phase IV observational COVID-19 trial to enhance U.S. public health preparedness.

This partnership builds on Walgreens' role in the U.S. Healthcare segment of Walgreens Boots Alliance, where it operates nearly 9,000 retail locations. Walgreens continues to provide healthcare services with a focus on accessibility and equity, particularly for underserved populations.

Topics: Clinical Trials