Building Trust and Diversity in Clinical Trials: Tina Aswani Omprakash

Episode Overview

Join us for an insightful conversation with Tina Aswani, a renowned patient advocate and founder of the South Asian IBD Alliance. Tina shares her powerful journey with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and her extensive experience in clinical trial advocacy. This episode explores the misconceptions surrounding clinical trials, the barriers faced by diverse communities, and the untapped opportunities for pharma to engage patients more effectively. Tina’s firsthand experiences and advocacy work provide valuable insights into reshaping the narrative around clinical trials and patient empowerment.

Guest Bio

Tina Aswani - Patient advocate, founder of the South Asian IBD Alliance, and leading voice in clinical trial education and diversity advocacy. With nearly a decade of experience as a patient leader, Tina has collaborated with pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations to improve access to care, reduce stigma, and elevate the patient voice in healthcare decision-making.

Key Topics

• Misconceptions about clinical trials and their impact on patient participation
• The importance of early clinical trial education for mild-to-moderate disease patients
• Addressing cultural and systemic barriers to trial participation in diverse communities
• The role of patient advocates in designing patient-friendly trials
• Opportunities to expand decentralized and virtual trial models globally
• Bridging the gap between pharma, physicians, and patients through improved communication

"Patients need to know that clinical trials are not just an option of last resort—they’re an opportunity for early intervention, better care, and a voice in advancing medicine."

Main Takeaways for Life Science Professionals

1. Patients Need Early Education About Clinical Trials
   Many patients perceive clinical trials as a last resort, but early participation can provide significant benefits, such as access to advanced care and treatment options. As life science professionals, you have the opportunity to work on educating both patients and physicians about the value of trials for mild-to-moderate conditions, helping to dispel myths and build trust.
2. Diversity and Inclusion Must Be Prioritized in Clinical Trials
   Underrepresentation of diverse populations in clinical trials limits the understanding of how treatments work across different ethnic and cultural groups. Addressing this gap by engaging grassroots organizations, patient advocates, and communities of color can create trials that are both more inclusive and impactful, leading to better outcomes for all patients.
3. Patient-Centric Trial Design Is the Future
   Involving informed patient advocates in the design of clinical trials can lead to more patient-friendly protocols, improved recruitment, and better retention. From adjusting endpoints to shortening washout periods, life science professionals can collaborate with patients to create trials that meet real-world needs, bridging the gap between science and lived experience.

About Merakoi
At Merakoi, we're passionate about harnessing the power of mini-communities to bridge the information gap and empower patients to take control of their health journeys. By fostering ongoing collaboration between patients, healthcare providers, and pharma companies, we're creating a future where every patient has access to the knowledge and support they need to thrive.

Together, we can build a world where no patient is left in the dark, searching for answers. If this sounds like the kind of healthcare innovation you want to participate in, let's chat!