DIVERSE Trials Act

12/30/2022, 11:03 AM

Diversifying Investigations Via Equitable Research Studies for Everyone Trials Act or the DIVERSE Trials Act

This bill requires activities to increase diversity in clinical trials. It also expands reporting by laboratories that test for and diagnose COVID-19 and requires a study on data collection and data sharing during public health emergencies.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must issue guidance on decentralized clinical trials to promote meaningful demographic and geographic diversity in patient engagement, enrollment, and participation. Decentralized clinical trials include those executed through telemedicine or other digital technologies to allow for the remote collection and assessment of clinical trial data. The FDA may also work with foreign regulators to harmonize international regulations governing decentralized clinical trials and the use of digital health technology.

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may support community education, outreach, and recruitment activities for clinical trials of treatments for conditions that disproportionately impact populations underrepresented in clinical trials.

The bill also specifies that drug or device manufacturers may provide, subject to some limits, free digital health technologies and other remuneration to patients in approved clinical trials without violating laws that address fraud and abuse in federal programs.

Furthermore, laboratories that test for and diagnose COVID-19 must report additional demographic data, including information about social determinants of health. HHS must also contract with the National Academy of Medicine to study and propose a design for an interoperable platform to facilitate data sharing during public health emergencies.

Congress
117

Number
S - 2706

Introduced on
2021-08-10

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

8/10/2021

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Diversifying Investigations Via Equitable Research Studies for Everyone Trials Act or the DIVERSE Trials Act

This bill requires activities to increase diversity in clinical trials. It also expands reporting by laboratories that test for and diagnose COVID-19 and requires a study on data collection and data sharing during public health emergencies.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must issue guidance on decentralized clinical trials to promote meaningful demographic and geographic diversity in patient engagement, enrollment, and participation. Decentralized clinical trials include those executed through telemedicine or other digital technologies to allow for the remote collection and assessment of clinical trial data. The FDA may also work with foreign regulators to harmonize international regulations governing decentralized clinical trials and the use of digital health technology.

In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may support community education, outreach, and recruitment activities for clinical trials of treatments for conditions that disproportionately impact populations underrepresented in clinical trials.

The bill also specifies that drug or device manufacturers may provide, subject to some limits, free digital health technologies and other remuneration to patients in approved clinical trials without violating laws that address fraud and abuse in federal programs.

Furthermore, laboratories that test for and diagnose COVID-19 must report additional demographic data, including information about social determinants of health. HHS must also contract with the National Academy of Medicine to study and propose a design for an interoperable platform to facilitate data sharing during public health emergencies.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to improve diversity in clinical trials and data collection for COVID-19 and future public health threats to address social determinants of health.

Policy Areas
Health

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Minority employment
Minority health
Public contracts and procurement

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary1/12/2022

Diversifying Investigations Via Equitable Research Studies for Everyone Trials Act or the DIVERSE Trials Act

This bill requires activities to increase diversity in clinical trials. It also expands reporting by laboratories...


Latest Action8/10/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.