Medical comms - Articles

In competitive job searching, every little helps, and one thing that is often overlooked is your email address.
In competitive job searching, every little helps, and one thing that is often overlooked is your email address.Admittedly, it might not be the thing that gets your CV thrown out or put to the top of the pile, but a recruiter will typically form a "picture" of you in the role they are recruiting for, so you don't want to put anything forward which might plant seeds of "suitability doubt" in their minds, so why take the chance. We see a lot of CV's and a lot of email addresses, and you would be surprised how bizarre some of them are. Imagine a hypothetical situation: a recruiter is looking at 2 CVs, both identical except for the email address. Who do you think would have the advanta…

Want to know which Pharma companies are on Twitter? - here's a list..
I've been keeping track on the pharma companies on Twitter, and the presence and activity varies significantly. Anyway here is the current list for your reference. If you notice any errors or omissions, let me know.  ABPIAccess pharmaActavisAkzonobelAllerganAlnylamAmgenAmgen FoundationAstellas USAstra Zeneca JobsAstraZenecaAstraZeneca - joinastrazenecaAstrazeneca USAstraZenecaNLAzco BiotechAZhelpsBaxterBayerBayer HealthCareBayer JovensBayer PressBayer SanteBayer ScheringBayer SDBayer UK / IrelandBayer US NewsBayer US NewsBayer VitalBayerM SMSBioIndustry AssociationBMS NewsbmsinfoBoehringerBoehringer GermanyBoehringer GreeceBoehringer SpainBoehringer USBoehringernldBristol_MyersDaiichi SankyoDiabetes_sanofiElan…

This week is Code Awareness Week and the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) is launching an e-learning module for health professionals
This week is Code Awareness Week and the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) is launching an e-learning module for health professionalsLondon, 4 April 2011 – The pharmaceutical industry effectively self regulates and operates to the highest ethical standards as laid out in The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry (the Code). This week is Code Awareness Week. The Code was recently updated and will become fully operational from 1 May. Key changes to note are: 1. Promotional aids eg mugs, diaries, stationery and the like are no longer acceptable. Inexpe…

Since the very dawn of Western capitalism, competition has been synonymous with success. Indeed, in accounting for the past 500 years of Western ascendancy in the world, Professor Niall Ferguson of Harvard University points to six ‘killer apps’. The first of these, unsurprisingly, is competition
Since the very dawn of Western capitalism, competition has been synonymous with success. Indeed, in accounting for the past 500 years of Western ascendancy in the world, Professor Niall Ferguson of Harvard University points to six ‘killer apps’. The first of these, unsurprisingly, is competition. However in the world of healthcare, this theory has faced more than its fair share of criticism. Doubtless, few sensible men would argue that healthcare has not benefitted from the entrepreneurial pressur…

Earlier this month the UK drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline announced a groundbreaking and progressive new scheme for graduates, whereby from 2012 the company will offer to reimburse in full the university tuition fees of the entirety its future graduate intake.
In the final months of 2010, the subject of student tuition fees dominated our political discourse. What originated as relatively civil and contained acts of protest quickly mutated into angry and ultimately violent conflict at the heart of Britain’s capital city. The bellowing voice of extremism had once again drowned out the silent minority and images of discord and chaos dominated our television screens. At the zenith of the violence, the London headquarters of the Conservative Party was attacked, destroying the building’s main lobby…

After six months of sometimes lively pursuit, the French pharmaceutical group, Sanofi-aventis, has agreed a deal to pay $20.1bn in cash for U.S. biotech firm Genzyme Corp after Sanofi made an increased offer of $74 per share.
Once completed, the deal will represent the biggest pharmaceutical takeover since 2009 and the largest acquisition by the group since its $50bn purchase of Aventis back in 2004. In view of excited predictions from Genzyme executives on potential sales of Lemtrada (alemtuzumab), each share will also be linked to tradable Contingent Value Rights (CVRs) worth up to $14 a share if all performance milestones are reached. While Genzyme predicts sales for Lemtrada approaching $3.5bn, Sanofi has been somewhat more reserved in its estimates. While payments mainly depend on th…

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter are all the rage – there’s no escaping them, they’re everywhere – even in the workplace, and whether you like it or not, they’re not going away.
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter are all the rage – there’s no escaping them, they’re everywhere – even in the workplace, and whether you like it or not, they’re not going away. Here at the CK Group, we are passionate about social media and the benefits it can bring to your business. We are strong believers that social media can be an invaluable tool in not only attracting and recruiting staff but also in retaining them. From our experience, when it comes to social media, staff retention is often an area which is overlooked and under utilised. In fact, a s…

NextPharma is lowering healthcare costs in an environment of continuing Pharma industry restructuring
NextPharma is lowering healthcare costs in an environment of continuing Pharma industry restructuringWhen Pharma companies choose an outsourcing partner, they are looking for a responsible organisation with an ‘end to end’ service that provides quality, reliability, innovation and excellence in development, manufacturing and logistics - as well as a first rate customer experience. NextPharma, a recent acquisition by an affiliate of Sun European Partners, is uniquely positioned to be a leading outsourcing partner for development, manufacturing, packaging, and distribution of a broad range of products and formulations for its customers from tablets and capsules to antibiotics, hormones and…

At times of global economic downtown, and internal restructuring within firms, risks to innovation arise. And as businesses look for savings, research and development is seldom exempt.
At times of global economic downtown, and internal restructuring within firms, risks to innovation arise. And as businesses look for savings, research and development is seldom exempt. Last year for example, GlaxoSmithKline made considerable cuts to its research budget for mental health and other firms trimmed R&D substantially too, as even the greatest giants of the industry sought to respond to the impending expiration of patents and bleak pipelines ahead. In addition, while the greatest challenges remain endogenous, the long-held notion that the pharmaceutical world is entirely immune to wider financi…

As a result of a vote taken in the European Parliament earlier this week, patients in the European Union will receive improved information on prescription drugs, in addition to being protected from some of the more potentially exploitable clauses of the Commission’s proposed Directive on Information to Patients.
As a result of a vote taken in the European Parliament earlier this week, patients in the European Union will receive improved information on prescription drugs, in addition to being protected from some of the more potentially exploitable clauses of the Commission’s proposed Directive on Information to Patients. Specifically, and in contrast to proposals put forward by the Commission, the Parliament’s version of the bill makes it mandatory for drugs companies to provide both adequa…

In an age of competition and choice, patient knowledge is paramount. Between 1997 and 2007, the Blair government’s entire programme of public sector reforms were delivered under the banner of ‘Choice and Competition’.
In an age of competition and choice, patient knowledge is paramount. Between 1997 and 2007, the Blair government’s entire programme of public sector reforms were delivered under the banner of ‘Choice and Competition’. Where foundation hospitals provided the mechanism in the health service, city academies become the chosen instrument for education. Yet while Mr. Blair was ultimately shackled by the forces of the left within his party, the current government has no such obstacles in its way. Yet even if the new government is to succeed where the previous administration failed…

With the global economy remaining stagnant, big pharma companies are keen to develop blockbuster drugs that have a high financial ceiling. Rodger McMillan, VP of R&D at Astra Zeneca has said that “big pharma is a cash-rich industry – it has to be,” namely because of the huge costs in developing new drugs – sometimes as much as $200 million.
With the global economy remaining stagnant, big pharma companies are keen to develop blockbuster drugs that have a high financial ceiling. Rodger McMillan, VP of R&D at Astra Zeneca has said that “big pharma is a cash-rich industry – it has to be,” namely because of the huge costs in developing new drugs – sometimes as much as $200 million. However major change is championed by the illustrious NGP20 consortium chaired by Ted Torphy, the VP & Hea…

In the USA alone, when your neighbor is out of work it is a slowdown, when your family member is added it becomes recession and when you too join the same line than it surely becomes a depression. The unofficial employment in USA being claimed at 15-25 percent while the economical turnaround seems a mirage; the closer you get the clearer becomes the reality, nothing but refractions.
In the USA alone, when your neighbor is out of work it is a slowdown, when your family member is added it becomes recession and when you too join the same line than it surely becomes a depression. The unofficial employment in USA being claimed at 15-25 percent while the economical turnaround seems a mirage; the closer you get the clearer becomes the reality, nothing but refractions. The Internet civilization…

In many ways, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) embodies many of the characteristics that define the NHS. In a system of universal access — and in a world where resources are finite — tough decisions inevitably have to be made. And by taking difficult decisions, particularly in reference to end of life care, NICE attempts to make the most of the drugs budget we do have.
In many ways, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) embodies many of the characteristics that define the NHS. In a system of universal access — and in a world where resources are finite — tough decisions inevitably have to be made. And by taking difficult decisions, particularly in reference to end of life care, NICE attempts to make the most of the drugs budget we d…

Epratuzumab, a new humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody that acts on CD22 (a molecule preventing over-activation of the immune system and emergence of auto-immune diseases) has shown promise as a potential treatment of moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to results of a new study EMBLEM.
Epratuzumab, a new humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody that acts on CD22 (a molecule preventing over-activation of the immune system and emergence of auto-immune diseases) has shown promise as a potential treatment of moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) according to results of a new study EMBLEM. Data from the phase IIB study involving 227 patients who received epratuzumab in a range of doses or placebo, were presented at the annual American Congress of Rheumatolog…

Large pharma has been seeking new biomarkers for years – all part of their drug discovery process, but often only as an afterthought in the development process. That’s changed over recent years, but by-and-large the bulk of biomarker work remains in the hands of small -to -medium-sized companies whose focused approach is more attuned to biomarkers being a major element of a final product.
Large pharma has been seeking new biomarkers for years – all part of their drug discovery process, but often only as an afterthought in the development process. That’s changed over recent years, but by-and-large the bulk of biomarker work remains in the hands of small -to -medium-sized companies whose focused approach is more attuned to biomarkers being a major element of a final product. Pharmaceutical…

Most pharmacologists will acknowledge that nutrition is important for good health and well-being, however, at the same time it is also considered to be a chemical nightmare with unknown effects. This has not always been the case, in the past connections between pharmacology and nutrition has been more intimate, as Hippocrates once stated, ‘‘Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.
Most pharmacologists will acknowledge that nutrition is important for good health and well-being, however, at the same time it is also considered to be a chemical nightmare with unknown effects. This has not always been the case, in the past connections between pharmacology and nutrition has been more intimate, as Hippocrates once stated, ‘‘Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food. Only…

Reshaping the pharmaceutical industry's quality standards is currently the top priority for the Chinese government. Earlier announcements by its Ministry of Health to issue new tougher Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) standards for medical products comes at the right time as current regulations do not meet international standards which result in poor performance by Chinese companies in the international market.
Reshaping the pharmaceutical industry's quality standards is currently the top priority for the Chinese government. Earlier announcements by its Ministry of Health to issue new tougher Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP) standards for medical products comes at the right time as current regulations do not meet international standards which result in poor performance by Chinese compa…

Now more than ever, alternative science and holistic remedies are playing a role in our lifestyles. But is that right? Over the past year, we've reported on everything from homeopathy to hypnotherapy. Importantly, we've differentiated between those approaches with at least a modicum of evidence to support them, and those without almost any at all. Yet in contrast to homeopathy, perhaps it can be said that our next target has at least a little science to support it.
Now more than ever, alternative science and holistic remedies are playing a role in our lifestyles. But is that right? Over the past year, we've reported on everything from homeopathy to hypnotherapy. Importantly, we've differentiated between those approaches with at least a modicum of evidence to support them, and those without…

Last week Pharmaceutical heads met as a result of a drugs recall after a pill mix up of breast cancer pills. The drug, Fresenius Kabi’s Anastrozole, was made by the German company’s subsidiary in India. The ingredient mix up led to the voluntary recall of 7,192 bottles, each containing 30 tablets.
Last week Pharmaceutical heads met as a result of a drugs recall after a pill mix up of breast cancer pills. The drug, Fresenius Kabi’s Anastrozole, was made by the German company’s subsidiary in India. The ingredient mix up led to the voluntary recall of 7,192 bottles, each containing 30 tablets.The mishap raises the question: Is there enough regulation to protect patients? As a new generation of bio pharmaceuticals go under trial in India those in attendance at the NGP EU summit were concer…