Articles
Dr Wolfgang Wein, Executive Vice-President of Merck Serono’s Oncology Business comments on the recent final appraisal determination by NICE paving the way for its leading oncology product Erbitux to benefit UK mCRC patients.
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) this month that should result in Merck Serono’s EGFR-targeting monocolonal antibody Erbitux (cetuximab) becoming the UK’s first biologic treatment to be reimbursed on the NHS for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The final guidance should be published in July and be implemented within three months after that. Caveats apply however. Patients must have had primary tumours resected and have secondary tumours confined to the liver. Tumours…
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published a Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) this month that should result in Merck Serono’s EGFR-targeting monocolonal antibody Erbitux (cetuximab) becoming the UK’s first biologic treatment to be reimbursed on the NHS for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The final guidance should be published in July and be implemented within three months after that. Caveats apply however. Patients must have had primary tumours resected and have secondary tumours confined to the liver. Tumours…
Despite the pharmaceutical industry's evolving business model in response to growing regulatory constraints, the sector is facing unprecedented challenges caused by the economic downturn and President Obama's planned overhaul of the US healthcare system. To continue on its journey towards 'Pharma 2.0', the industry must balance the more pressing short term issues against longer term trends
Historically, pharmaceutical companies have faced a number of major challenges, both internally and externally, which have shaped the pharmaceutical industry we see today. Ongoing issues such as the declining efficiency of companies' internal R&D processes and increasingly crowded markets have resulted in fierce price competition between both branded and generic players. Heightening regulatory pressur…
Historically, pharmaceutical companies have faced a number of major challenges, both internally and externally, which have shaped the pharmaceutical industry we see today. Ongoing issues such as the declining efficiency of companies' internal R&D processes and increasingly crowded markets have resulted in fierce price competition between both branded and generic players. Heightening regulatory pressur…
27-Aug-2010
Quick Look article written by Max Golby, focusing on topic of swine flu.
Over the past week, concern has gone global over swine flu, with WHO Director Margaret Chan forecasting the “…the first pandemic of the 21st Century”. Global pandemic. By definition, the emergence of a disease, ‘prevalent over a whole country or the world’ and the highest possible stage of the WHO’s influenza alert phases. In reality, whilst the move to phase 6 – or pandemic status – does signal a significant change to the global spread of the virus, the WHO’s latest declaration does not imply that there has been a notable change to the number of deaths or serious cases reported around the world. Nevertheless, on Thursday, June 11th 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) used the term pandemic to describe a flu…
Over the past week, concern has gone global over swine flu, with WHO Director Margaret Chan forecasting the “…the first pandemic of the 21st Century”. Global pandemic. By definition, the emergence of a disease, ‘prevalent over a whole country or the world’ and the highest possible stage of the WHO’s influenza alert phases. In reality, whilst the move to phase 6 – or pandemic status – does signal a significant change to the global spread of the virus, the WHO’s latest declaration does not imply that there has been a notable change to the number of deaths or serious cases reported around the world. Nevertheless, on Thursday, June 11th 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) used the term pandemic to describe a flu…
27-Aug-2010
The Department of Health is determined to improve commissioning, and it will do whatever it takes to make it happen. That is the message that senior departmental officials sent to practice based commissioners last week at a National Association of Primary Care conference in London.
GP entrepreneurs feel like they have been wading through mud in their attempts to get practice based commissioning (PBC) off the ground. They are battling with PCTs who are not taking PBC seriously and despite warm words, fail to deliver the support GP commissioning consortia are entitled to. But the word from the top the Director General of Commissioning stated last week is that PBC is central to the way commissioning will develop, moving forward. And that GPs will have more – not less power in the future.Commis…
GP entrepreneurs feel like they have been wading through mud in their attempts to get practice based commissioning (PBC) off the ground. They are battling with PCTs who are not taking PBC seriously and despite warm words, fail to deliver the support GP commissioning consortia are entitled to. But the word from the top the Director General of Commissioning stated last week is that PBC is central to the way commissioning will develop, moving forward. And that GPs will have more – not less power in the future.Commis…
27-Aug-2010
The time has arrived for primary care trusts to shed their provider functions, and it is causing considerable angst in the community services sector. It was inevitable that sooner or later, the split would have to happen, but now the race is on to decide what organisation model they want to adopt: foundation trust or social enterprise?
The Department of Health is keen on the social enterprise model. They are so keen that they have offered community services trusts the ‘right to request’ transferable pensions NHS for all their current NHS staff, funded by the Department of Health. And at an average of 35% of salary costs, being able to offer maintenance of their NHS pension rights will be a significant benefit for staff that might otherwise have been lost.The concept behind social enterprise…
The Department of Health is keen on the social enterprise model. They are so keen that they have offered community services trusts the ‘right to request’ transferable pensions NHS for all their current NHS staff, funded by the Department of Health. And at an average of 35% of salary costs, being able to offer maintenance of their NHS pension rights will be a significant benefit for staff that might otherwise have been lost.The concept behind social enterprise…
Senior Department of Health executives, speaking at a recent NHS Alliance Conference, suggested that the NHS has two years left before it starts to the credit crunch’s bite – maybe less if there is an election in a years’ time. But this should not be cause complacency in the health sector. The message is, invest wisely now so that you are well prepared for the fallow times ahead.
Not a day passes when we hear more bad news about the economy. And the budget signals that if not today, then in the future all public services are going to have to draw in their horns. Senior Department of Health executives, speaking at a recent NHS Alliance Conference, suggested that the NHS has two years left before it starts to the credit crunch’s bite – maybe less if there is an election in a years’ time.…
Not a day passes when we hear more bad news about the economy. And the budget signals that if not today, then in the future all public services are going to have to draw in their horns. Senior Department of Health executives, speaking at a recent NHS Alliance Conference, suggested that the NHS has two years left before it starts to the credit crunch’s bite – maybe less if there is an election in a years’ time.…
In this edition of StrategicEdge, CBR Pharma Insights discusses the current trends and opportunities that exist in marketing to consumers as the age of TiVo, DVRs, and cost constraints point the industry towards creative uses of the internet and other e-technologies.
With sales slowing and marketing budgets being cut, pharmaceutical brand managers will be expected to do more with less. This shift may dramatically change how companies reach their communication and marketing goals. Going forward, social media and other methods of online communication are likely to play a much larger role in building brand loyalty and increasing compliance than ever before. In using Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) marketing campaigns, pharmaceutical companies are trying to increase awareness of their products. In do…
With sales slowing and marketing budgets being cut, pharmaceutical brand managers will be expected to do more with less. This shift may dramatically change how companies reach their communication and marketing goals. Going forward, social media and other methods of online communication are likely to play a much larger role in building brand loyalty and increasing compliance than ever before. In using Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) marketing campaigns, pharmaceutical companies are trying to increase awareness of their products. In do…
Integrated Care Organisations (ICOs) are the new kids on the block, and tipped as the natural successor to practice based commissioning.
On 01 April the Department of Health announced sixteen integrated care pilots (ICPs) www.dh.gov.uk. They are led by a whole range of organisations from practice based commissioning clusters through community and NHS foundation trusts to specialist substance misuse teams and local councils. This is a deliberate ploy as the main goal is to evaluate the organisational models and principles behind ICOs; and quantify the costs and benefits they deliver. They are being championed by David Colin Thorne who rarely backs a duff horse, and if they are successful, policy enablers to encourage ICO development are sure to follow. The NHS loves a new organisational mod…
On 01 April the Department of Health announced sixteen integrated care pilots (ICPs) www.dh.gov.uk. They are led by a whole range of organisations from practice based commissioning clusters through community and NHS foundation trusts to specialist substance misuse teams and local councils. This is a deliberate ploy as the main goal is to evaluate the organisational models and principles behind ICOs; and quantify the costs and benefits they deliver. They are being championed by David Colin Thorne who rarely backs a duff horse, and if they are successful, policy enablers to encourage ICO development are sure to follow. The NHS loves a new organisational mod…
The recent outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) infection, previously referred to as swine flu, has thrown the spotlight on governments around the world and their ability to manage a pandemic. In the UAE, customers are currently finding it difficult to source antivirals but, with Dubai seen as a hub for international travel, the government has stockpiles ready for distribution should an outbreak occur.
To date, there have been 1,124 cases of the infection in 21 countries. Unlike both SARS and bird flu, sustained human-to-human transmission of the disease has occurred. However, the strain appears to be more in line with seasonal flu, having a significantly lower mortality rate than both SARS and bird flu. Transmission of the virus between human beings occurs when an infected individual coughs and…
To date, there have been 1,124 cases of the infection in 21 countries. Unlike both SARS and bird flu, sustained human-to-human transmission of the disease has occurred. However, the strain appears to be more in line with seasonal flu, having a significantly lower mortality rate than both SARS and bird flu. Transmission of the virus between human beings occurs when an infected individual coughs and…
There has been no shortage of conversation lately about current problems facing the Pharmaceutical industry...
There has been no shortage of conversation lately about current problems facing the Pharmaceutical industry. Communication is vital to work through the current economic crisis and unite in this unreliable climate. Time management is a constant battle for executives who are now turning to online networking sites to liaise effectively and efficiently with their peers. Communities such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are a fantastic resource to all, socially - But what are the true business benefits? MeettheBoss has found the need to create a business platform purely for these executives. “Social networking sites are great to catch-up with old friends, share photographs, music and l…
There has been no shortage of conversation lately about current problems facing the Pharmaceutical industry. Communication is vital to work through the current economic crisis and unite in this unreliable climate. Time management is a constant battle for executives who are now turning to online networking sites to liaise effectively and efficiently with their peers. Communities such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are a fantastic resource to all, socially - But what are the true business benefits? MeettheBoss has found the need to create a business platform purely for these executives. “Social networking sites are great to catch-up with old friends, share photographs, music and l…
27-Aug-2010
The inspiration for this article came to me when watching an interview with Mr N R Narayanmurthy, Chief Mentor at Infosys. I was particularly taken by his control and poise; clearly, someone with years of training and experience in being interviewed can be completely at ease in such a stressful situation, but it made me think about how we can all improve our own techniques and create that vital positive first impression.
“… interviewing skills have been rapidly and continuingly changing…” Being interviewed can be a nightmare at times and having been in the industry for 11 years, I recall how interviewing skills have been rapidly and continuingly changing over that period. Having been both a candidate and an interviewer on many occasions, as I am sure many of us are, I would like this articl…
“… interviewing skills have been rapidly and continuingly changing…” Being interviewed can be a nightmare at times and having been in the industry for 11 years, I recall how interviewing skills have been rapidly and continuingly changing over that period. Having been both a candidate and an interviewer on many occasions, as I am sure many of us are, I would like this articl…
As part of the UK government's drive to save over GBP2 billion in the NHS during 2010-11, GBP550m will be cut from the prices of branded drugs as a result of the revised Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme. With the volume of branded drugs having remained flat over the last four years, total sales of the UK branded pharmaceutical industry are forecast to decline from 2009 onwards.
Due to the global economic downturn, branded pharmaceutical sales are suffering in countries such as the US, which lack a nationalized healthcare system. The rising number of unemployed, and therefore uninsured patients, are switching to cheaper generic alternatives, the result of which will be a knock on effect on branded prescription drug sales, which are now forecast to decline by 1-2% in 2009 (IMS Health).…
Due to the global economic downturn, branded pharmaceutical sales are suffering in countries such as the US, which lack a nationalized healthcare system. The rising number of unemployed, and therefore uninsured patients, are switching to cheaper generic alternatives, the result of which will be a knock on effect on branded prescription drug sales, which are now forecast to decline by 1-2% in 2009 (IMS Health).…
The latest outbreak of influenza virus H1N1 “swine flu” is now widely tipped to cause a global pandemic of unknown severity. Previously, the influenza vaccine community discussed the theoretical limitations of current technologies and capacity. Now they are faced with the reality of these limitations. VacZine Analytics believes H1N1 must change the science of influenza vaccines.
LONDON, UK 30th April 2009 ExpertREACT. The latest outbreak of influenza virus H1N1 “swine flu” is now widely tipped to cause a global pandemic of unknown severity. Previously, the influenza vaccine community discussed the theoretical limitations of current technologies and capacity. Now they are faced with the reality of these limitations. VacZine Analytics (R) believes H1N1 must change the science of influenz…
LONDON, UK 30th April 2009 ExpertREACT. The latest outbreak of influenza virus H1N1 “swine flu” is now widely tipped to cause a global pandemic of unknown severity. Previously, the influenza vaccine community discussed the theoretical limitations of current technologies and capacity. Now they are faced with the reality of these limitations. VacZine Analytics (R) believes H1N1 must change the science of influenz…
27-Aug-2010
Where the pharmaceutical industry is often said to be immune to economic depression, the current economic crisis cannot be considered a direct historical equal to the recessions of the past.
Thus, where the current crisis finds its roots primarily in the banking industry, almost no-one and no industry is completely sheltered. Innovation in healthcare is therefore paying at least a small cost for what is now the most serious economic crisis since October 1929 and the depression of the 1930s that followedYet whilst some of the grandest headlines of all tell of fallen bankers and experienced professionals back in the market for new work, there is another demographic which is being increasingly affected by the uncertainty of the current climate– new graduates.For where healthcare remains a div…
Thus, where the current crisis finds its roots primarily in the banking industry, almost no-one and no industry is completely sheltered. Innovation in healthcare is therefore paying at least a small cost for what is now the most serious economic crisis since October 1929 and the depression of the 1930s that followedYet whilst some of the grandest headlines of all tell of fallen bankers and experienced professionals back in the market for new work, there is another demographic which is being increasingly affected by the uncertainty of the current climate– new graduates.For where healthcare remains a div…
27-Aug-2010
Public opinion has for long been regarded as essential to the success of a thriving business. In fact, whilst the benefits of popular perception can often appear somewhat intangible on the balance sheet, what is essentially the respect of the customer is the bastion of almost every profession
Healthcare is no exception. For where it may sometimes prove challenging to pin down the precise ways in which public opinion can make a direct impact on a company’s revenues, a positive brand identity can, amongst other things, greatly assist in attracting some of the brightest new minds in the industry. Indeed, a positive image is particularly profitable when it comes to something like recruitment and the establishment of something in the way of a social contract with the general public can also enco…
Healthcare is no exception. For where it may sometimes prove challenging to pin down the precise ways in which public opinion can make a direct impact on a company’s revenues, a positive brand identity can, amongst other things, greatly assist in attracting some of the brightest new minds in the industry. Indeed, a positive image is particularly profitable when it comes to something like recruitment and the establishment of something in the way of a social contract with the general public can also enco…
Despite the current economic downturn, pharmaceutical research & development spending continues to play a vital role in the pharmaceutical industry. The industry, as a whole, needs to find new, more innovative ways to compensate for the recent and upcoming patent loses of many blockbusters products...
Despite the current economic downturn, pharmaceutical research and development spending continues to play a vital role in the pharmaceutical industry. The industry, as a whole, needs to find new, more innovative ways to compensate for the recent and upcoming patent loses of many blockbuster products, i.e. Lipitor and Zocor. Recent trends indicate that we are currently in the middle of a consolidation of pipeline efforts within the industry through numerous acquisitions, both intra-pharmace…
Despite the current economic downturn, pharmaceutical research and development spending continues to play a vital role in the pharmaceutical industry. The industry, as a whole, needs to find new, more innovative ways to compensate for the recent and upcoming patent loses of many blockbuster products, i.e. Lipitor and Zocor. Recent trends indicate that we are currently in the middle of a consolidation of pipeline efforts within the industry through numerous acquisitions, both intra-pharmace…
Any positive effect on the pharmaceutical industry derived from the G20 summit and European Union summit will be indirect and much of the direct healthcare spending increase will cover the cost of cheaper generics accessed through publically funded programs. Furthermore, emerging markets previously targeted to drive revenue growth face potentially crippling consequences from the downturn.
Historically, pharmaceutical companies have faced a number of major challenges, both internally and externally, which have shaped the industry as it exists today. Ongoing issues include the declining efficiency of internal R&D processes, together with growing competition from both branded and generic players in increasingly crowded markets, ultimately resulting in fierce price competition. Heightened…
Historically, pharmaceutical companies have faced a number of major challenges, both internally and externally, which have shaped the industry as it exists today. Ongoing issues include the declining efficiency of internal R&D processes, together with growing competition from both branded and generic players in increasingly crowded markets, ultimately resulting in fierce price competition. Heightened…
Medical communications provide professional, valuable marketing solutions to pharmaceutical companies, incorporating; writing, design, multimedia, conferences and events and more.
Medical communications provide professional, valuable marketing solutions to pharmaceutical companies, incorporating; writing, design, multimedia, conferences and events and more. Working with top level pharmaceutical company executives, high profile doctors and lecturers, the job of the medical communications specialist is to inform, educate and increase awareness of diseases and medicines within the healthcare community to help drive improved patient care. Adventis Health is one of a number of medical communications agencies that offers an integrated service with advertising, PR, Medical Education and digital…
Medical communications provide professional, valuable marketing solutions to pharmaceutical companies, incorporating; writing, design, multimedia, conferences and events and more. Working with top level pharmaceutical company executives, high profile doctors and lecturers, the job of the medical communications specialist is to inform, educate and increase awareness of diseases and medicines within the healthcare community to help drive improved patient care. Adventis Health is one of a number of medical communications agencies that offers an integrated service with advertising, PR, Medical Education and digital…
We have all heard the doom and gloom regarding the financial markets/ credit crunch/ recession. It’s pretty hard to escape it. The high earning bankers are jobless and the face of our high street is changing with high profile collapses of organisations including Woolworths, the Officers Club, MFI and Barretts.
We have all heard the doom and gloom regarding the financial markets/ credit crunch/ recession. It’s pretty hard to escape it. The high earning bankers are jobless and the face of our high street is changing with high profile collapses of organisations including Woolworths, the Officers Club, MFI and Barretts. It’s official, we are in a recession and according to the Office of National Statistics, UK unemployment had risen to 1.92 million in the last quarter of 2008 - the highest le…
We have all heard the doom and gloom regarding the financial markets/ credit crunch/ recession. It’s pretty hard to escape it. The high earning bankers are jobless and the face of our high street is changing with high profile collapses of organisations including Woolworths, the Officers Club, MFI and Barretts. It’s official, we are in a recession and according to the Office of National Statistics, UK unemployment had risen to 1.92 million in the last quarter of 2008 - the highest le…
27-Aug-2010
It is perhaps fitting, if not entirely coincidental, that the month that we chose to focus on the important areas of the central nervous system and pain, also coincides with Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month.
It is perhaps fitting, if not entirely coincidental, that the month that we chose to focus on the important areas of the central nervous system and pain, also coincides with Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Backed by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, the MS awareness month invites both an awareness of the debilitating nature of the disease, alongside an effort to increase worldwide government and NGO funding for the study and treatment of the condition. For that reason, this article will focus primarily on the important new strides in that area. The central nervous sy…
It is perhaps fitting, if not entirely coincidental, that the month that we chose to focus on the important areas of the central nervous system and pain, also coincides with Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month. Backed by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, the MS awareness month invites both an awareness of the debilitating nature of the disease, alongside an effort to increase worldwide government and NGO funding for the study and treatment of the condition. For that reason, this article will focus primarily on the important new strides in that area. The central nervous sy…
