Maintaining America's Competitive Edge in Clinical Trials and Biopharmaceutical Development: A Conversation with Dr. Gary Puckrein

We Work for Health's Executive Director Dan Leonard recently sat down with Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), to discuss his organization's work to ensure fair access to life-saving research and emerging treatments as well as what needs to be done to preserve America's innovation leadership.

The discussion highlighted the public health and economic imperatives of maintaining U.S. competitiveness in biopharmaceutical research and development, especially in the face of emerging rivals such as China.

Here are the key takeaways from their conversation.

Meeting Patients Where They Are

Dr. Puckrein explains NMQF's unique approach to expanding clinical trial participation through faith-based institutions and community partnerships, particularly in underserved communities. Through their Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity, the organization works directly with community stakeholders to demystify clinical trials and build the trust necessary for meaningful participation.

This work is incredibly valuable for American competitiveness: Ensuring full participation across all American communities improves the quality of the data that goes into developing new therapies and keeps the U.S. at the forefront of discovery. NMQF's approach has shown success in chronic diseases like lupus and is now expanding into areas like Alzheimer's, where disparities are profound.

The Challenge: America Needs an Answer to China’s Biotech Strategy

Perhaps the most urgent message from the conversation was Dr. Puckrein's assessment of the strategic landscape. "China has a plan. They're a command economy...and they're running their plan to overtake us in the biopharma world," he noted. "We don't have a plan." 

The Path Forward

Dr. Puckrein has a message for policymakers: supporting community-driven research infrastructure strengthens patient outcomes and fortifies the U.S. against global competitors. Clinical trial leadership should be seen as core to America's innovation strategy, requiring modernized FDA processes and a policy environment that values efficiency and encourages innovation.

Watch the full conversation to learn more about the challenges facing U.S. clinical trial competitiveness and what policymakers must do to preserve America's innovation advantage.