Marketing & Communications

Smart phones and apps proliferate among docs, surveys say

Ben Comer March 04, 2010

About 80% of all US physicians will be using smart phones by 2012, and not just for drug reference or clinical information. An explosion of new healthcare professional-facing apps - over 1,500 in Apple's app store alone - will expand mobile device usage to include patient care and administrative functions, according to Manhattan Research survey.

AIA launches website for global patient offerings

Ben Comer August 21, 2009

Atkins International Associates (AIA) launched a multifaceted life sciences website for marketers communicating to patients across the globe.

Covidien campaign touts surgery for Type 2 diabetes

Matthew Arnold June 19, 2009

Covidien is launching an educational campaign aimed at raising awareness of gastric bypass surgery as an option to treat type 2 diabetes among morbidly obese sufferers.

"Facebook for pharmacists" to offer news, CE and community

Matthew Arnold June 18, 2009

JMI Health is launching PharmQD, which aims to be something like a cross between LinkedIn and Facebook for pharmacy students, hospital and retail pharmacists, said JMI SVP, eproducts Tina Pang Mayer (pictured).

EMD Serono launches male fertility education campaign

Matthew Arnold June 17, 2009

EMD Serono is partnering with Men's Health Network on a patient education campaign aimed at raising awareness of male infertility.

UCB to report AEs to FDA via community site

Ben Comer June 16, 2009

UCB announced a partnership with PatientsLikeMe.com to launch an epilepsy-focused patient community, and will report adverse events directly to FDA through round-the-clock surveillance.

HCMA conference free for unemployed

Ben Comer June 11, 2009

For its annual conference this summer, The Healthcare Communication & Marketing Association (HCMA) is waiving the $600 entrance fee ($650 for non-HCMA members) for unemployed marketing and communications professionals.

For Pristiq, Wyeth deploys wind-up doll

Matthew Arnold June 10, 2009

Wyeth is cranking up consumer advertising for Pristiq with spots that aim to capture depression sufferers' struggle to get through the day, as represented by an iconic wind-up doll.

Only a tenth of scripts are up for grabs, says IMS study

Matthew Arnold June 09, 2009

Traditional promotion efforts, including details and sampling, can only affect about 10% of prescriptions, an IMS study found, suggesting that the bulk of promotion dollars is misplaced.

Sanofi, Cegedim launch mobile CRM for managed markets

Ben Comer June 08, 2009

Sanofi-Aventis partnered with Cegedim Dendrite to launch a CRM mobile platform for its managed market managers. The three-year agreement spans 28 countries, including the US, France and Japan.

Lilly looks homeward for communications chief

Matthew Arnold June 08, 2009

Lilly named former Indianapolis mayor Bart Peterson to lead its communications and corporate affairs functions.

Last chance to grab glory

June 04, 2009

If you still haven't entered the MM&M Awards 2009, then you'd better move fast--today (June 5) is the final deadline for submissions.

Abbott, AZ extend co-promotion to Trilipix

Ben Comer June 04, 2009

AstraZeneca will help Abbott reach more physicians with its Trilipix (fenofibric acid) drug, a cholesterol product approved by FDA last December. The companies also filed an NDA for Certriad, a Trilipix/Crestor combination drug.

Pfizer aims to differentiate Toviaz with patient support program

Matthew Arnold June 03, 2009

Pfizer is launching Detrol follow-on Toviaz with a 12-week patient support program featuring a progress tracker, personalized emails and tips on bladder training techniques. The company said many overactive bladder patients currently suffer from a lack of behavioral intervention.

Non-compliance, requests for generics on the rise, says survey

Matthew Arnold May 28, 2009

Physicians say patient compliance is getting worse, and they're hearing more requests for generic or OTC alternatives to prescribed medications as the economic malaise takes its toll, according to a PriMed survey.

Industry coalition goads DDMAC on sponsored links

Ben Comer May 27, 2009

An ad hoc coalition, spearheaded by industry veteran Arnold Friede, is formulating a proposal to challenge recent DDMAC actions it considers misguided.

Consider the 'reasonable consumer,' says FDA draft guidance

Matthew Arnold May 26, 2009

DTC drug and device marketers looking to steer clear of FDA ad reviewers should follow the "reasonable consumer standard" and consider the net impression their promotions make on the lay viewer, not just the particulars, FDA said in a draft guidance.

Coalition flags ACCME plans

Matthew Arnold May 22, 2009

The Coalition for Healthcare Communication said it doesn't oppose ACCME's proposal to set up an independent entity for disbursal of CME funding - provided that it's not the only game in town and CME providers don't have to pay for it.

Gelnique ads swap embarrassment for empowerment

Ben Comer May 21, 2009

Watson launched a campaign today for its overactive bladder product Gelnique - the first topical gel indicated for the disorder - featuring younger, active women.

DDMAC warns J&J on Ultram webcast

Matthew Arnold May 20, 2009

The FDA hit Johnson & Johnson with a warning letter over a webcast promoting pain med Ultram ER, saying it overstated efficacy and underplayed or omitted risks.

SSL taps Saatchi Wellness for Durex US

Matthew Arnold May 18, 2009

Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness won the US integrated marketing account for Durex following a four-way pitch. The assignment spans advertising, digital, retail and CRM and includes the launch of the new Bare condom.

Sanofi launches corporate web TV site

Matthew Arnold May 15, 2009

Sanofi-Aventis launched a web TV site, sanofi-aventis.tv, featuring videos ranging from executive interviews to disease information and even a corporate manifesto.

AMA ethics group rethinks CME funding

Matthew Arnold May 14, 2009

A pair of American Medical Association committee reports urges that industry-funded CME be put on a tighter leash, but they're a far cry from the ban on commercial support called for by the AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs a year ago.

DTC spend set to slide, loyalty cards up, says survey

Matthew Arnold May 13, 2009

Marketers anticipate substantial cuts in DTC spend in 2009, according to a Cegedim Dendrite survey in which 58% of respondents said they'd cut consumer ad spend this year. Last year 28% said they'd cut back on consumer advertising.

BreastCancer.org partners with HealthCentral

Ben Comer May 11, 2009

BreastCancer.org opened the door to banner advertising and tapped online network HealthCentral for the development of sponsorship programs, according to an announcement today.

Reps. Moran and Brady call for daytime ban on ED ads

Ben Comer May 08, 2009

Reps. James Moran (D-VA) and Robert Brady (D-PA) introduced a bill, dubbed the "Families for ED Advertising Decency Act," that would ban ED ads on radio or TV between the hours of 6am and 10pm - an edict that would comport, more or less, with existing guidelines of PhRMA and individual manufacturers.

WebMD to launch Medscape iPhone app

Ben Comer May 07, 2009

WebMD hopes to extend its professional network reach with the launch of a Medscape iPhone application. The app will become available during the last week of May, or in early June, according to a WebMD spokesperson.

Lilly renews speedway diabetes awareness campaign

Matthew Arnold May 06, 2009

Eli Lilly & Co. is taking its Vision Racing Wellness Tour on another lap around the racing circuit, offering fans free diabetes screening.

Amylin slashes sales force by 35%

Matthew Arnold May 05, 2009

Amylin is cutting 200 sales positions -- around 35% of its sales force -- as it merges its specialty and primary care sales forces into a single organization targeting endocrinologists and diabetes-focused primary care physicians.