Janssen's Best Practices For Patient Diversity Success By Ed Miseta, Chief Editor, Clinical Leader Follow Me On Twitter @EdClinical As devastating as the COVID pandemic has been, one positive result is the increased attention it has shed on the pharmaceutical industry. Because of the quest to stop the spread of COVID and save lives, the public is now more aware of the difficulty of finding cures and vaccines, and the need for clinical trials. One report has even showed an improvement in the reputation of pharma. “With COVID there's a greater understanding about clinical research,” said Cassandra Smith, director, diversity & inclusion in clinical trials at Janssen, speaking on a November 2020 Clinical Leader Live panel on patient diversity. “There's never been another time when people were discussing trials and clinical research at dinner tables and in social circles. People are now more aware of clinical research and have a better understanding of what it is. It's unfortunate this understanding is the result of COVID, but it is really nice to see people wanting more information about trials and clinical research.”