Walmart has entered the clinical trials sector with the launch of the Walmart Healthcare Research Institute (WHRI), joining retail pharmacy giants CVS and Walgreens in efforts to revolutionize patient recruitment and diversify clinical study participation. The new institute will leverage Walmart's extensive network of health centers to connect patients with clinical trial opportunities, rather than conducting trials directly.
Addressing Clinical Trial Diversity Gap
The initiative comes at a critical time when clinical trial diversity remains a significant challenge in pharmaceutical research. According to FDA data from 2020, approximately three-quarters of clinical trial participants in the US were white, while only 11% were Hispanic, 8% were Black, and 6% were Asian. This demographic imbalance has prompted major retail pharmacy chains to position themselves as solutions to improve representation in clinical studies.
"We know our customers are interested in participating in healthcare research, but many have not had access until now," said Dr. John Wigneswaran, Walmart's chief medical officer. The company's strategic advantage lies in its geographic reach, with around 90% of Americans living within 10 miles of a Walmart outlet.
Focus on Underserved Populations
WHRI will concentrate on developing therapies that can make a difference in populations including older adults, rural residents, women, and minority populations, with particular emphasis on chronic healthcare conditions. This targeted approach addresses the current participation gap, where less than 4% of Americans participate in clinical trials, and approximately one-third of participants drop out before study completion.
Walmart's existing clinical trial activities have already demonstrated significant impact, achieving a threefold improvement in patient referrals compared to industry benchmarks. The company has established ongoing relationships with clinical research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and academic medical centers to facilitate these connections.
Digital Integration and Patient Empowerment
Accompanying the WHRI launch, Walmart is introducing MyHealthJourney, a digital tool designed to help patients manage their healthcare data by consolidating medical records and insurance information in one platform. The application will provide appointment reminders and other healthcare service notifications while serving as a gateway for research study participation.
Industry-Wide Movement
Walmart's entry follows similar initiatives by Walgreens and CVS, both of which launched clinical trial services businesses within the past year. All three retail pharmacy giants emphasize their networks' presence in socially vulnerable areas as key to improving recruitment of under-represented groups in clinical studies.
The retail pharmacy sector's expansion into clinical trials represents a significant shift in how pharmaceutical research may be conducted, potentially addressing long-standing challenges in patient recruitment and study diversity while leveraging existing healthcare infrastructure to reach previously underserved populations.
