Interview with Pinak Joshi, Medical Science Liaison, CareDX (former Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Specialist, Technical Resources International) and United UVC Board Member

Today, I interviewed Pinak Joshi (PJ), a former Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance Specialist. He currently serves as a Medical Science Liaison and is on the board of United UVC. PJ is passionate about bringing high quality science and the best clinical data to create the best decisions for patients. He has experience in academic science, clinical medicine, and medical diagnosis. He also completed a Anatomic and Clinical Pathology Fellowship at Harvard. During out conversation PJ, touched on that the UVC technology is one of the most effective ways in preventing and reducing the spread of pandemics. In the context of United UVC, he touched on how they are working to expand to the continent of Africa, to provide an additional lower cost solution to infectious disease management. As our conversation went on we discussed specifically how often times members of different races and have different health outcomes. These adverse health outcomes are irrespective of the diagnosis rates. PJ touched on a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. “injustice in health is the most inhuman form of inequality because it often results in physical death”. We continued to discussed these inequities and what can we to reduce them. PJ said there needs to be a shift of a conversation instead of did the drug work, but did it do the job for the person? Who can’t access it? Among other things. Additionally, doctors need to learn more about working with different patients to enhance the patient practitioner relationship. Understanding, a variety of cultures that patients have can help tailor communication and engagement with a diverse range of patients.  Also, a move to using health outcomes economic research can help in the process. Lastly, PJ is working to help increase the diversity and equity conversation in the health care space, which can lead to benefits.