The Coalition to Transform Clinical Trial Engagement (CTCTE) launched the Champions for Change – Paid Time Off (PTO) Initiative to address job-related barriers to clinical trial participation. The initiative encourages employers to offer paid time off for employees involved in clinical trials. This builds on previous efforts by the CTCTE and Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) to secure clarification from the Department of Labor regarding FMLA protections for trial participants and their caregivers.
This initiative holds significant implications for increasing diversity and representation in clinical trials. By reducing financial burdens associated with time off work, the program can enable participation from individuals who might otherwise be excluded due to economic constraints. This is particularly crucial for underrepresented communities who often face greater barriers to healthcare access. Broader participation leads to more robust and representative data, ultimately improving the quality and applicability of research findings.
The Champions for Change – PTO Initiative was introduced in 2023 and gained its first corporate partner, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, shortly thereafter. Currently, seven national partners, including the American Thoracic Society, Diverse Research Now, FSR, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, Mural Health, Recursion, and Sabai Global, have pledged to offer at least one day of paid time off for employees participating in clinical trials. The initiative is sponsored by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals and supported by a grant from Boehringer Ingelheim.
This initiative represents a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible clinical trial landscape. As more companies adopt this practice, it could become a standard employee benefit, further breaking down barriers to participation and accelerating the pace of medical innovation. This shift has the potential to transform the clinical research process, leading to more effective treatments and improved health outcomes for a wider range of patients.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
