The FDA says it is undertaking a new initiative to develop a system to query a broad range of databases to identify possible post-marketing adverse ...

Woodcock takes GMO to the next level

The FDA's director of drugs, Janet Woodcock, is pushing her manufacturing and product quality experts to "reinvigorate" her brainchild "GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices) for 21st ...

As I see it

The worst fears of the drug industry—that state attorneys general (AGs) will add their muscle to the FDA's in marketing enforcement—may be seen in Merck's ...

Media Notepad

STM journals seek interaction online

Integrating online strategy into an ever-changing digital environment is no easy task for pharma marketers.

Merck a leader in video detailing

In 2007, ePromotion increased by 20% in terms of media spend, with Merck leading the charge, said Tara Hann, director of client services at Verispan.

CME Report

Pfizer posts US med ed grants online

Pfizer followed Eli Lilly's lead in posting a list of $10 million in grants and charitable contributions the company made to medical, scientific and patient ...

NY gov wants ban on gifts to doctors

New York Gov. David Paterson is proposing legislation that would impose a ban on gifts to doctors and require physicians making presentations at CME events ...

Docs: Don't end CME support

A poll of 268 physicians found that 92% disagree with an American Medical Association (AMA) committee's call to end commercial support of CME.

Grassley busts two for not reporting millions in consulting fees

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, busted a prominent Harvard child psychiatrist, Dr. Joseph Biederman, and his colleague, Dr. Timothy E. ...

Merck settlement includes ACCME policies agreement

Merck's settlement of Vioxx litigation with 29 states included agreements to abide by ACCME policies regarding disclosure of relationships between speakers and companies.

Review finds no evidence to support CME biases

A review of literature on the relationship between commercial support and bias in accredited CME, commissioned by ACCME, found "no evidence to support or refute" ...

Digital Marketing

Revolution Health Group cuts staff to 'consolidate'

Revolution Health Group has reduced its staff by 50 employees as the online consumer health company reshuffles for the second time in eight months.

Microsoft, Kaiser partner on e-records

Nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO) Kaiser Permanente has partnered with Microsoft in its push for electronic consumer-controlled health records.

Web Watch

The Internet has become the ultimate disruptive medium.

Direct Marketing

CA bill legalizes patient data exchange

Legislation pending in the California state assembly would allow pharmacies to send patient prescription information to advertisers.

MTI introduces doctor targeting tool

DTP marketer MTI has launched a new multi-channel communication product.

CMS proposes DM prohibition

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have proposed new regulations limiting Medicare "door-to-door marketing" and "cold-calling," according to a statement.

Healthline Networks launches HealthSTAT

Healthline Networks has launched a contextual ad-matching engine called HealthSTAT (semantic taxonomy ad targeting).

Meredith Corporation acquires Big Communications

Big Communications, a healthcare marketing and direct marketing agency, has been acquired by the Meredith Corporation.

DTC Report

Merck agrees to TV ad pre-clearance

Merck agreed to submit all TV ads to the FDA before running them and to adhere to agency recommendations on them as part of a ...

Four agree to moratorium

Four top pharmas told Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak that they would refrain from advertising new drugs to consumers for six months after they ...

Ads for gene tests test AMA, California

The American Medical Association's House of Delegates adopted a resolution calling for "appropriate organizations" to develop criteria for the advertising of DTC genetic tests

Public Relations

Role of influencers varies among consumers

In a study conducted by public relations agency Ketchum, researchers uncovered a variety of factors that pinpoint the way consumers make decisions about healthcare.