GOP lawmakers urge FDA under Trump to enforce diversity in clinical trial enrollment

Republican members of Congress have asked the Food and Drug Administration, now led by President Trump, to adopt policies that require clinical trials to enroll participants who reflect the diversity of the patient populations that will use the products.

The request follows a broader effort by the Trump administration to remove references to diversity, equity and inclusion from Health and Human Services agency websites, a move the administration says targets hiring and communications practices rather than scientific considerations.

Supporters of trial diversity argue that the goal is to ensure that new drugs and medical devices are tested on people who are similar to the eventual users, which they say is essential for reliable safety and efficacy data, not simply a DEI agenda.

If the FDA adopts such guidance, pharmaceutical companies may need to adjust enrollment strategies, potentially affecting trial timelines and costs, a development that could be significant for investors and industry stakeholders.