Public Relations (PR)

Merck in row over AIDS-drug pricing

Marc Iskowitz January 27, 2010

It was activism that drew the world's attention to the HIV epidemic and to the need for ethical standards in AIDS-drug testing. And activism is once again playing a role, this time in challenging a drug company, Merck, over the price of HIV/AIDS medicine Isentress. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which operates free HIV/AIDS clinics in the US and abroad, this week banned Merck drug reps from calling on staff in its facilities.
 

Alli-sponsored film gets "Rain Man" director

Matthew Arnold January 27, 2010

A GlaxoSmithKline-funded documentary on America's obesity epidemic will be directed by Barry Levinson, of Wag the Dog and Rain Man fame.
 

GSK rolls out new Alli ads, study

Matthew Arnold January 20, 2010

GlaxoSmithKline has revamped advertising for its OTC weight loss drug Alli to emphasize bad eating habits. The new ads coincide with a PR campaign touting a study of American eating habits and a film sponsorship.
 

ARBITER leaves some lasting marks on Merck

Marc Iskowitz December 21, 2009

The nature and amount of press coverage is often a key factor in assessing how clinical trial results impact a product's prescription trends. In the case of the ARBITER 6-HALTS trial, Merck's cholesterol franchise has benefited from largely balanced coverage, somewhat limiting damage to lipid drugs Zetia and Vytorin.
 

King's all kid gloves on Embeda launch

Marc Iskowitz December 10, 2009

King's launch of Embeda, a pain drug containing morphine, demonstrates that even supposedly abuse-resistant narcotic products need to take a careful approach in their marketing.
 

AAFP pact with Coke distasteful to some

Marc Iskowitz November 05, 2009

An alliance with the nation's largest soft drink maker to sponsor advice on sugar-free alternatives has spurred criticism of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
 

CEOs trump movie stars among celeb endorsers, says survey

Matthew Arnold November 04, 2009

Mulling celebrity spokes-candidates for an ad campaign? Consider this: business leaders are more persuasive than athletes, movie stars or musicians, according to a Harris Interactive poll conducted on behalf of Adweek.
 

King warned on Embeda VNRs

Matthew Arnold October 21, 2009

Video news releases for King's abuse-resistant pain drug Embeda drew a warning letter from FDA's Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising and Communications.
 

Son of Pharmalot: popular pharma blog gets relaunch

Matthew Arnold October 07, 2009

Ed Silverman is relaunching his Pharmalot blog, once an industry must-read with a fiercely devoted following, next week - though at a more modest pace.
 

MedImmune taps soccer champs for flu awareness

Ben Comer August 20, 2009

MedImmune launched a branded awareness campaign starring soccer greats Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain to underscore the importance of getting immunized for the flu.
 

PhRMA answers GOP leader's "appeaser" slur

Matthew Arnold August 18, 2009

The top Republican in the House of Representatives accused PhRMA of "appeasing" the Obama administration, which he cast as a bully who "asks for your lunch money." PhRMA responded that its pro-reform campaign is "absolutely consistent with our core principles."
 

PhRMA, friends air $12m pro-reform TV spot

Matthew Arnold August 13, 2009

The first execution in PhRMA's promised pro-health reform campaign -- a $12 million TV spot aimed at communicating how the legislation will impact individuals -- airs today
 

PhRMA readies pro-health reform advertising blitz

Matthew Arnold August 10, 2009

PhRMA will launch a big advertising push for healthcare reform later this week, with TV spots airing in key states and on cable channels nationally.
 

Don't look for the logo to boost reputation, says Pfizer PR

Ben Comer July 28, 2009

Authenticity and earned media trump slick corporate ads when it comes to bolstering corporate reputation, said Pfizer's Sally Susman.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

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.
 

Pharma industry reputation gains, says Harris Interactive

Matthew Arnold April 29, 2009

It seems corporate reputation is countercyclical for pharmas, as well. The drug industry was the only sector to see appreciable gains in public perception from 2007 to 2008, according to Harris Interactive, posting its highest rating in five years as financial services firms and automakers displaced pharmas in the dregs of public esteem alongside tobacco.
 

J. Lo joins Sanofi for pertussis awareness ads

Matthew Arnold April 24, 2009

Sanofi Pasteur and the March of Dimes have recruited Jennifer Lopez to serve as the face of a whooping cough awareness campaign.
 

AstraZeneca launches Artery Explorer on second tour

Matthew Arnold March 25, 2009

AstraZeneca is redeploying its Artery Explorer for a second tour, using medical animation to help bring atherosclerosis to life.
 

Pfizer hires ex-Novartis PR as reputation czar

Matthew Arnold February 26, 2009

Pfizer named Kathryn Metcalfe VP, corporate reputation and policy communication - a new post in which she's tasked with building the company's reputation and communicating Pfizer's stance on policy issues worldwide.
 

PhRMA, AMA ads tie healthcare access to economy

Matthew Arnold January 08, 2009

PhRMA and the AMA are jumping on the healthcare reform bandwagon with a TV ad calling for a healthcare fix to help the ailing economy.
 

GSK to end corporate political contributions

Matthew Arnold December 23, 2008

As part of its transparency push, GlaxoSmithKline is ending corporate political donations, though the company will continue to support a "voluntary and independent Political Action Committee" in the US.
 

Congress presses FDA, Bayer on DTC info, OTC combos

Matthew Arnold October 15, 2008

Reps. John Dingell and Bart Stupak (both D-MI) wrote the FDA to question its use of a pharma PR firm in developing a website about DTC advertising for consumers.
 

Johnson & Johnson reorganizes PR team

Ben Comer October 09, 2008

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has announced a restructuring of its public affairs and corporate communications team.
 

Ads blast Merck on AIDS drug prices in Mexico

Matthew Arnold May 30, 2008

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation launched a print ad aimed at shaming Merck in its own neighborhood for the prices it charges for AIDS drug Stocrin (Sustiva) in Mexico.
 

Judge rules against J&J in Red Cross lawsuit

Stephen McGuire May 16, 2008

A federal judge ruled against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) in a lawsuit filed by the drugmaker to halt the American Red Cross (ARC) from using the red cross emblem on first aid products sold to the public.
 

AstraZeneca widens disclosure policy

Stephen McGuire March 14, 2008

As other drugmakers come under fire for being slow to release info on clinical trials and monetary donations, AstraZeneca plans to widen its disclosure policy at its US website in an effort to create greater transparency into how it conducts its business.
 

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