Rethinking Clinical Trials in Latin America

When pharmaceutical companies set their sights on Latin America for clinical trials, they’re stepping into a realm of both immense promise and complexity.

Picture this: a region brimming with vibrant, diverse patient populations ready to participate, offering researchers faster recruitment speeds, significant cost savings, and access to skilled medical professionals.

Sounds like the perfect recipe for advancing medical breakthroughs, doesn’t it? But beneath this promising surface lies a deeper, more complex story.

As the clinical research industry broadens its footprint in Latin America, representation gaps persist. A 2024 article in American Association for Cancer Research noted that fewer than 5% of eligible patients globally participate in clinical trials, with rural, Indigenous, and low-income populations often left out due to logistical, cultural, and systemic barriers.ⁱ

While studies buzz with activity in urban centers and wealthier communities, the very populations most affected by health disparities are too frequently left out of the equation. Treatments intended to heal the many aren’t always tested on the few who truly need them most.ⁱⁱ

This disconnect highlights a crucial tension in today’s clinical trial landscape: as research globalizes, are we truly including the communities that matter most?

A Booming Market — But for Whom?

Latin America is quickly becoming a clinical trial powerhouse. Countries like Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico are attracting sponsors thanks toⁱⁱⁱ:

And according to a 2024 report from the Pan American Health Organization, trial activity in Latin America is outpacing global averages in therapeutic areas like metabolic disorders and rare diseases.^v

It’s clear the region is booming. But here’s the catch: with this remarkable growth comes an equally significant responsibility.

Because clinical research isn’t just about numbers or scalability; it’s about equity.

Why Representation Matters

Clinical trials hold immense promise, but globally, we’ve seen a troubling pattern of underrepresentation, especially among racial and ethnic minorities. This isn’t just a moral issue; it’s a scientific one. When trials don’t include diverse populations, we risk developing treatments that may not be effective—or safe—for everyone.

Take the U.S., for example. In the U.S., Hispanic communities make up nearly 19% of the population but account for less than 8% of clinical trial participants, according to the FDA.^vi In Latin America, representation is more complex. Trials are run locally, but participant recruitment often skews urban and middle-class, leaving out rural, Indigenous, and lower-income groups. These are the very groups most affected by health disparities, yet they remain underrepresented.

Representation isn’t just a checkbox.  It’s the foundation that ensures:

• Drugs are tested for how they work across diverse populations.
• Side effects are identified and understood in all groups.
• Treatments become available to those who need them most.

So, the question becomes: how do we ensure that the communities hosting these trials also benefit from them?

The Logistics Behind Inclusion

One of the biggest barriers to equitable clinical trials in Latin America? Logistics.

Imagine this: a groundbreaking clinical trial holds the potential to save lives. The science is sound, the treatments are promising, and the patients are ready. But behind the scenes, a tangled web of logistical challenges makes reaching those who need it most incredibly complex.

Sponsors often face unique hurdles, including:

• Complex and inconsistent regulations across countries
• Limited last-mile infrastructure in rural areas
• Inconsistent cold chain management in high-heat regions
• Inadequate visibility into supply chain movements
• Language and cultural barriers during patient recruitment and consent

At UPS Healthcare, we’ve spent time building solutions that help sponsors and Contract Research Organization (CRO’s) overcome these barriers. Because the science is only as good as the system that supports it.

Delivering Equity in Healthcare

Behind every successful clinical trial is a supply chain designed not just for speed — but for inclusion, precision, and trust.

At UPS Healthcare, we’re helping sponsors expand access and equity in Latin American trials by delivering the logistics solutions that make participation possible — no matter where patients live or what barriers stand in the way.

Include healthcare icons at bullet points,

• Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics

  Connecting patients to healthcare—even in the most remote areas—is no small task. Marken, UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics (formerly Marken, MNX & Polar Speed), the clinical and advanced therapy subsidiary of UPS Healthcare, unites expertise across healthcare and complex secure logistics to drive the success of our clients through innovation.

• Expanding our Reach with the acquisition of Bomi Group

  Since the acquisition of Bomi Group in 2022, we’ve deepened our roots in Latin America. With advanced cold chain logistics, specialized storage, and seamless distribution solutions, we’re helping sponsors meet the extensive standards of clinical research in these fast-growing markets.

• Reliable Cold Chain, Across Borders and Climates

  Maintaining precise temperature control is essential in clinical trials, especially for sensitive healthcare products and specimens. Our advanced cold chain solutions ensure product integrity at every stage, safeguarding stability and compliance across even the most challenging climates and geographies.

• Direct-to-Patient Access for Underserved Communities (DTP)

  Our DTP services are designed to meet patients where they are. In areas with limited clinical infrastructure, we deliver trial materials straight to participants' homes or connect them with nearby collection points. This reduces dropout rates and opens the door to more inclusive recruitment.

• Local Regulatory Expertise

  Every country in Latin America has its own set of regulatory standards, and navigating these can be a major barrier to fast trial activation. Our in-market teams provide tailored guidance, ensuring documentation, customs processes, and compliance are handled with local expertise, keeping trials on track.

• UPS^® Premier: Real-Time Visibility, Monitoring, and Priority Shipping

  Clinical trials are high-stakes and time-sensitive. With UPS^® Premier, sponsors gain advanced tools for real-time visibility and monitoring, ensuring they always know where critical shipments are— and intervene if needed. This level of precision, combined with priority handling, protects quality and fosters confidence at every step of the process.

The Path Forward

The future of clinical trials is decentralized, diverse, and data driven. But without logistics designed for equity, we risk repeating the same mistakes in new geographies.

As Latin America becomes a bigger player in global research, sponsors must ask themselves:

• Are we building relationships with local investigators and communities?
• Are we addressing the logistical gaps that prevent inclusion?
• Are we measuring who’s being left out — and doing something about it?

Footnotes:

ⁱ Bloomberg New Economy International Cancer Coalition, McKinsey Cancer Center, Cure4Cancer. "Advancing Global Health Equity in Oncology Clinical Trial Access." Cancer Discovery, vol. 14, no. 12, 2024, pp. 2317–2320. DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-1288

ⁱⁱ Popejoy & Fullerton, "Genomics is failing on diversity," Nature (2016), highlighting broader underrepresentation in health research including Latin American populations. Link

ⁱⁱⁱ Bioaccess, "Understanding Clinical Trial Diversity in Latin America," Bioaccess Blog (2025), highlighting the region's growing role in clinical research due to diverse populations, cost efficiencies, and regulatory advancements. Link

^iv Kuick Research, "Clinical Trials in Brazil 2024: Market Insight, Current Landscape & Future Outlook," GlobeNewswire, September 9, 2024. Link

^v Pan American Health Organization, "Portal of Clinical Trials of the Americas", PAHO/WHO. https://www.paho.org/en/portal-clinical-trials-americas

^vi U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drug Trials Snapshots Summary Report 2021, FDA, 2021. Link