The BA celebrates Black History Month
Does medicine discriminate by race?
When we get sick, we take medicine and expect that it will help us. But the truth is that most prescribed drugs work in less than half the UK population. The answer, it seems, lies in our genes, with some people genetically more compatible with certain drugs. But when drugs are clinically tested, are they tested on all sections of the population?
Historically members of the Black and Asian communities have been underrepresented in clinical trials. As we move closer towards using medicines targeted to our genetic makeup, if this under representation continues, members of minority ethnic groups could stand less chance of receiving effective medicines.
As part of Black History Month in October, the x-change will be looking at the issue of genes and drugs and asking how we can ensure that different ethnic groups receive the correct medicines. Panellists will include Dr Anand Saggar, Consultant Geneticist at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London.
“Pharmacogenetics offers the opportunity to tailor therapy to individual groups. The challenge is to ensure that the pharmaceutical industry does not focus on developing or refining medicines for particular socio-economic markets,” says Dr Saggar.
Dr Saggar will be joined by Dr Andrew Smart, Sociology Research Officer at the Ethox Centre, University of Oxford, and Juliet Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at Thames Valley University.
The x-change will take place on at 18:30 on Tuesday 26 October at the Dana Centre, London SW7 5HD. The event is free, but to reserve a place email events@the-ba.net or call 020 7019 4940.
Find out how the BA is working to reach new audiences in science communication here.
When we get sick, we take medicine and expect that it will help us. But the truth is that most prescribed drugs work in less than half the UK population. The answer, it seems, lies in our genes, with some people genetically more compatible with certain drugs. But when drugs are clinically tested, are they tested on all sections of the population?
Historically members of the Black and Asian communities have been underrepresented in clinical trials. As we move closer towards using medicines targeted to our genetic makeup, if this under representation continues, members of minority ethnic groups could stand less chance of receiving effective medicines.
As part of Black History Month in October, the x-change will be looking at the issue of genes and drugs and asking how we can ensure that different ethnic groups receive the correct medicines. Panellists will include Dr Anand Saggar, Consultant Geneticist at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London.
“Pharmacogenetics offers the opportunity to tailor therapy to individual groups. The challenge is to ensure that the pharmaceutical industry does not focus on developing or refining medicines for particular socio-economic markets,” says Dr Saggar.
Dr Saggar will be joined by Dr Andrew Smart, Sociology Research Officer at the Ethox Centre, University of Oxford, and Juliet Alexander, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at Thames Valley University.
The x-change will take place on at 18:30 on Tuesday 26 October at the Dana Centre, London SW7 5HD. The event is free, but to reserve a place email events@the-ba.net or call 020 7019 4940.
Find out how the BA is working to reach new audiences in science communication here.
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