Articles
A meta-analysis of the CRYSTAL and OPUS studies involving 845 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) tumours displaying the wild-type KRAS gene, has revealed first-line treatment with Erbitux (cetuximab) and FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI chemotherapy significantly extends overall survival.
A meta-analysis of the CRYSTAL and OPUS studies involving 845 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) tumours displaying the wild-type KRAS gene, has revealed first-line treatment with Erbitux (cetuximab) and FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI chemotherapy significantly extends overall survival. Median survival was around four months greater in Erbitux and chemotherapy-treated patients than in those receiving chemotherapy alone.A new meta-analysis presented for the first time at the joint 15th European Cancer…
A meta-analysis of the CRYSTAL and OPUS studies involving 845 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) tumours displaying the wild-type KRAS gene, has revealed first-line treatment with Erbitux (cetuximab) and FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI chemotherapy significantly extends overall survival. Median survival was around four months greater in Erbitux and chemotherapy-treated patients than in those receiving chemotherapy alone.A new meta-analysis presented for the first time at the joint 15th European Cancer…
With the pharmaceutical industry heading into the well documented “expiry cliff” competition is rife. Quicker more cost effective methods of manufacturing must be found for big pharma to remain competitive and a clearer means of communication such as that seen at the NG Pharma Summit is clearly vital.
The pharmaceutical industry is sharing the symptoms of the economic downturn. Counterfeit drug manufacturing and parallel trading is causing some serious side effects to the ailing industry and leaders from GSK, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Pfizer met at this year’s illustrious NGP Summit to help come up with a cure. The aims of the summit were to enable these business leaders to review their current manufacturing technologies and allow them to concentrate resources on their core compete…
The pharmaceutical industry is sharing the symptoms of the economic downturn. Counterfeit drug manufacturing and parallel trading is causing some serious side effects to the ailing industry and leaders from GSK, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Novartis and Pfizer met at this year’s illustrious NGP Summit to help come up with a cure. The aims of the summit were to enable these business leaders to review their current manufacturing technologies and allow them to concentrate resources on their core compete…
Hardly a day goes by without a new report, today AT Kearney, last week Roland Berger and before them IMS and PWC warning of a gloomy future for pharmaceutical companies and saying that they must change their ways.
Hardly a day goes by without a new report, today AT Kearney, last week Roland Berger and before them IMS and PWC warning of a gloomy future for pharmaceutical companies and saying that they must change their ways. Pharma’ has responded by restructuring, re-focussing, divesting, merging, laying off etc., but all of these are, I would argue, tinkering with the existing model. Like re-painting the sides of a horse drawn cart when it is in the middle of a six lane motorway junction with the traffic going past at 70 mph.... and one of the highways in the junction is the conversation…
Hardly a day goes by without a new report, today AT Kearney, last week Roland Berger and before them IMS and PWC warning of a gloomy future for pharmaceutical companies and saying that they must change their ways. Pharma’ has responded by restructuring, re-focussing, divesting, merging, laying off etc., but all of these are, I would argue, tinkering with the existing model. Like re-painting the sides of a horse drawn cart when it is in the middle of a six lane motorway junction with the traffic going past at 70 mph.... and one of the highways in the junction is the conversation…
27-Aug-2010
Medical animation is increasinlgy being employed by pharmaceutical companies to explain the scientific rationale behind their products.
Why animation? Most people are familiar with animation technology from the film and computer game industries, but its use extends well beyond these areas due to its ability to capture an audience’s attention and maintain it. One of the fields in which it is rapidly growing in popularity is healthcare. It has been used as part of training programs for healthcare personnel, such as to demonstrate complex invasive techniques. However, one of the fastest growing uses of this technology is in the pharmaceutical industry.Pharmaceutical companies are mainly interested in producing mechanism of action (MOA) animations to support their drugs, since they often have c…
Why animation? Most people are familiar with animation technology from the film and computer game industries, but its use extends well beyond these areas due to its ability to capture an audience’s attention and maintain it. One of the fields in which it is rapidly growing in popularity is healthcare. It has been used as part of training programs for healthcare personnel, such as to demonstrate complex invasive techniques. However, one of the fastest growing uses of this technology is in the pharmaceutical industry.Pharmaceutical companies are mainly interested in producing mechanism of action (MOA) animations to support their drugs, since they often have c…
27-Aug-2010
In the eyes of many graduates, the economic recession has brought a new-found negativity to the job market. Thankfully, the climate is probably less dire than the situation sometimes imagined.
In the eyes of many graduates, the economic recession has brought a new-found negativity to the job market. Indeed, over the past 12 months, articles talking down the prospects of new graduates have become ubiquitous in the media. Where these kinds of stories haven’t dominated the front pages, they have been replaced by the news of failed businesses and banks, rising unemployment figures and an array of reactive monetary policy adjustments that some thought would never come. If you’d listened to the heads of central banks in the years before the crisis - notably Alan Greenspan and then Ben Bernanke at…
In the eyes of many graduates, the economic recession has brought a new-found negativity to the job market. Indeed, over the past 12 months, articles talking down the prospects of new graduates have become ubiquitous in the media. Where these kinds of stories haven’t dominated the front pages, they have been replaced by the news of failed businesses and banks, rising unemployment figures and an array of reactive monetary policy adjustments that some thought would never come. If you’d listened to the heads of central banks in the years before the crisis - notably Alan Greenspan and then Ben Bernanke at…
More than half of schizophrenia patients are expected to relapse within two years if untreated and 4 out of 5 within five years, according to experts. Antipsychotics can reduce the relapse rate so long as patients continue on treatment. However, adherence is notoriously poor. A new antippsychotic – asenapine – shows promise of being effective and better tolerated.
More than half of schizophrenia patients are expected to relapse within two years if untreated and 4 out of 5 within five years, according to experts. Antipsychotics can reduce the relapse rate so long as patients continue on treatment. However, adherence is notoriously poor. A new antippsychotic – asenapine – shows promise of being effective and better tolerated. The prospect of an antipsychotic drug that keeps schizophrenia pat…
More than half of schizophrenia patients are expected to relapse within two years if untreated and 4 out of 5 within five years, according to experts. Antipsychotics can reduce the relapse rate so long as patients continue on treatment. However, adherence is notoriously poor. A new antippsychotic – asenapine – shows promise of being effective and better tolerated. The prospect of an antipsychotic drug that keeps schizophrenia pat…
27-Aug-2010
Weekly Swine Flu Update for the Week Ending September 10th
Again last week, the number of new cases continued to fall. With around 3,000 new cases reported for last week - compared to 5,000 cases for the week before and a zenith of 130,000 at the start of August – the situation has improved by every known measure or metric, both on a national, and indeed a supranational level. The HPA, continues to warn Britons against complacency in the struggle against the virus. The total number of H1N1-related deaths has now risen to 75 and as of September the 9th, there were 132 patients hospitalized with the virus. HPA figures continue to be questioned for their reliability since the transition to the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) earlier in the month. In delivering his weekly update, the…
Again last week, the number of new cases continued to fall. With around 3,000 new cases reported for last week - compared to 5,000 cases for the week before and a zenith of 130,000 at the start of August – the situation has improved by every known measure or metric, both on a national, and indeed a supranational level. The HPA, continues to warn Britons against complacency in the struggle against the virus. The total number of H1N1-related deaths has now risen to 75 and as of September the 9th, there were 132 patients hospitalized with the virus. HPA figures continue to be questioned for their reliability since the transition to the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) earlier in the month. In delivering his weekly update, the…
27-Aug-2010
Weekly Swine Flu Update for the Week Ending September 4th.
Week 36 of the Swine Flu outbreak has witnessed a substantial amendment to the government’s fatality predictions, with the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) reporting markedly lowered predictions of H1N1 related deaths. Specifically, the government’s experts now anticipate approximately 19,000 deaths in the worst case scenario – a significant fall from the previous figure of 65,000 fatalities that was given in July. Both figures function under the assumption that 30% of the population would be infected should the virus surge during the autumn and winter months. While the number of new cases continues to fall – with around 4,500 new cases reported for last week, compared to 5,000 cases for the week before and a z…
Week 36 of the Swine Flu outbreak has witnessed a substantial amendment to the government’s fatality predictions, with the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) reporting markedly lowered predictions of H1N1 related deaths. Specifically, the government’s experts now anticipate approximately 19,000 deaths in the worst case scenario – a significant fall from the previous figure of 65,000 fatalities that was given in July. Both figures function under the assumption that 30% of the population would be infected should the virus surge during the autumn and winter months. While the number of new cases continues to fall – with around 4,500 new cases reported for last week, compared to 5,000 cases for the week before and a z…
27-Aug-2010
Max Golby, Freelance Journalist, takes a look at the history of the e-Detailing market, considers what the e-Detail of the future might look like and asks what marketing departments can learn from an academic analysis of the instrument.
The History of e-Detailing: Call it what you will - e-Detailing, e-Marketing or e-Business - now almost a decade on from the days of the dot-com predictions - and a time when the temerity that surrounded the birth of the medium was in full-flow - the e-Detail has proven itself as one of the most cost-effective, growth intensive strategies available to healthcare professionals. For many physicians, the e-Detail quickly asserted itself as a more informative - and cost effective - alternative to the sales representative. Far more than just another email in t…
The History of e-Detailing: Call it what you will - e-Detailing, e-Marketing or e-Business - now almost a decade on from the days of the dot-com predictions - and a time when the temerity that surrounded the birth of the medium was in full-flow - the e-Detail has proven itself as one of the most cost-effective, growth intensive strategies available to healthcare professionals. For many physicians, the e-Detail quickly asserted itself as a more informative - and cost effective - alternative to the sales representative. Far more than just another email in t…
27-Aug-2010
Weekly Swine Flu Update for the Week Ending August 27th.
Despite a continued fall in the number of new cases for last week – with 5,000 new cases reported, compared to a peak of 100,000 at the start of the month - and a consecutive decline in the number of GP consultations, – the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, once again warned Britons against complacency in the fight against the virus - adding that whilst "It is normally a mild illness…for some it continues to be very serious”. An additional 7 deaths were recorded for the week and over 200 people continue to be hospitalized with the illness. HPA figures continue to be questioned for their reliability since the transition to the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) earlier in the month. Moreover, on the issue of anti-vi…
Despite a continued fall in the number of new cases for last week – with 5,000 new cases reported, compared to a peak of 100,000 at the start of the month - and a consecutive decline in the number of GP consultations, – the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, once again warned Britons against complacency in the fight against the virus - adding that whilst "It is normally a mild illness…for some it continues to be very serious”. An additional 7 deaths were recorded for the week and over 200 people continue to be hospitalized with the illness. HPA figures continue to be questioned for their reliability since the transition to the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) earlier in the month. Moreover, on the issue of anti-vi…
27-Aug-2010
Weekly Swine Flu Update for the Week Ending August 16th.
In certain ways, the past few weeks of the Swine Flu outbreak have been positive for everyone involved. Numbers of cases have decreased steadily and as a result, GP consultation rates have diminished too. In addition, the majority of patients continue to suffer only mild reactions and there are no signs of any impending mutations - either in terms of the severity of the virus itself, or with regards to anti-viral resistance. News on the development and testing of the new H1N1 vaccine continues to impress and estimates continue to predict the emergence of the first batch of drugs around October – with the hope that at least 50% of government stocks may be delivered by the New Year. Whilst some questions have been raised over the…
In certain ways, the past few weeks of the Swine Flu outbreak have been positive for everyone involved. Numbers of cases have decreased steadily and as a result, GP consultation rates have diminished too. In addition, the majority of patients continue to suffer only mild reactions and there are no signs of any impending mutations - either in terms of the severity of the virus itself, or with regards to anti-viral resistance. News on the development and testing of the new H1N1 vaccine continues to impress and estimates continue to predict the emergence of the first batch of drugs around October – with the hope that at least 50% of government stocks may be delivered by the New Year. Whilst some questions have been raised over the…
27-Aug-2010
As Capitol Hill readies itself for the August Recess, and as President Barack Obama demands that a bill reach his desk in the Oval Office by October, healthcare reform still finds itself in more-or-less the same quagmire as it did in 1993. We take a look at the chances of comprehensive reform this year and tackle the nitty-gritty of one of the most complex and polarising issues of Washington politics today.
Simply put, they're at it again. In 1993, Bill Clinton – then 42nd President of the United States – set about to make healthcare reform one of the foremost priorities of his administration and he appointed his wife and First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton to set about delivering this seemingly impossible objective. Known for her long-standing interest in healthcare reform and her consider…
Simply put, they're at it again. In 1993, Bill Clinton – then 42nd President of the United States – set about to make healthcare reform one of the foremost priorities of his administration and he appointed his wife and First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton to set about delivering this seemingly impossible objective. Known for her long-standing interest in healthcare reform and her consider…
27-Aug-2010
Weekly Swine Flu Update for the Week Ending July 26.
As the world continues to come to terms with the first global flu pandemic since the Hong Kong Flu of 1968, and as the outbreak continues to gain further traction over the autumn and winter months to come, this series of weekly ‘Swine Flu Update’ articles will attempt to provide both informed editorial analysis and key national – and supranational – updates. With the Healthcare Protection Agency (HPA) estimating that there were around 110,000 new cases of Swine Flu in the UK for the week ending July 26th, the virus is doubtless continuing to gain considerable momentum. GP consultation rates continued to grow above those of a typical seasonal flu outbreak and the under 5s and 5-14 year olds continued to be age groups most predominately…
As the world continues to come to terms with the first global flu pandemic since the Hong Kong Flu of 1968, and as the outbreak continues to gain further traction over the autumn and winter months to come, this series of weekly ‘Swine Flu Update’ articles will attempt to provide both informed editorial analysis and key national – and supranational – updates. With the Healthcare Protection Agency (HPA) estimating that there were around 110,000 new cases of Swine Flu in the UK for the week ending July 26th, the virus is doubtless continuing to gain considerable momentum. GP consultation rates continued to grow above those of a typical seasonal flu outbreak and the under 5s and 5-14 year olds continued to be age groups most predominately…
27-Aug-2010
The field of Medical Communications offers a whole host of opportunities for new science graduates - both in medical publishing and pharma.
Whilst typically broken down into several relatively distinct areas – such as Scientific Publishing and Medical Writing – broadly speaking, Medical Communications is the profession of communicating often complex scientific data and reports in a clear, straightforward and accessible manner. To a pharmaceutical company, this can mean the creation and continued editing of everything from research protocols, to clinical trial reports and product-specific marketing documentation for sales representatives. In contrast, work for a communications agency is likely to be less product specific – granting you the chance to work on a wider range of projects. Thus,…
Whilst typically broken down into several relatively distinct areas – such as Scientific Publishing and Medical Writing – broadly speaking, Medical Communications is the profession of communicating often complex scientific data and reports in a clear, straightforward and accessible manner. To a pharmaceutical company, this can mean the creation and continued editing of everything from research protocols, to clinical trial reports and product-specific marketing documentation for sales representatives. In contrast, work for a communications agency is likely to be less product specific – granting you the chance to work on a wider range of projects. Thus,…
27-Aug-2010
Ahead of the NHS Confederation Conference last month, David Nicholson, Chief Executive of NHS pulled no punches with his assessment of NHS finances.
Ahead of the NHS Confederation Conference last month, David Nicholson, Chief Executive of NHS pulled no punches with his assessment of NHS finances. He stated that the NHS would need to find £15-20 billion over the next three years; and that ‘all bets were off’ as to where that money might come from. Well respected NHS senior managers like Mike Farrar, Chief Executive at North West Strategic Health Authority are singing a similarly radical tune. Describing the financial crisis about to beset the whole service, Dr Farrar predicted that the NHS would need to embrace and invest in new technology much faster and think radically differently about h…
Ahead of the NHS Confederation Conference last month, David Nicholson, Chief Executive of NHS pulled no punches with his assessment of NHS finances. He stated that the NHS would need to find £15-20 billion over the next three years; and that ‘all bets were off’ as to where that money might come from. Well respected NHS senior managers like Mike Farrar, Chief Executive at North West Strategic Health Authority are singing a similarly radical tune. Describing the financial crisis about to beset the whole service, Dr Farrar predicted that the NHS would need to embrace and invest in new technology much faster and think radically differently about h…
27-Aug-2010
ABPI have developed an on-line exam bookings website to facilitate the process of booking the ABPI Medical Representatives Exam.
ABPI have developed an on-line exam bookings website to facilitate the process of booking the ABPI Medical Representatives Exam. The new website allows individual candidates to book exams as well as companies to make block bookings which can then be assigned to employees where they will have ultimate responsibility for their booking. The website can be accessed via the link below and also provides the following: (Registration as a User of the website is simple and free. It does not commit you to buying anything). The website is found here:- http://extranet.abpi.org.uk/web/abpi/exams.nsf/ Please note that the first thing you will need to do when accessing the site…
ABPI have developed an on-line exam bookings website to facilitate the process of booking the ABPI Medical Representatives Exam. The new website allows individual candidates to book exams as well as companies to make block bookings which can then be assigned to employees where they will have ultimate responsibility for their booking. The website can be accessed via the link below and also provides the following: (Registration as a User of the website is simple and free. It does not commit you to buying anything). The website is found here:- http://extranet.abpi.org.uk/web/abpi/exams.nsf/ Please note that the first thing you will need to do when accessing the site…
27-Aug-2010
Generational stereotypes are never easy to swallow, but when it comes to doctors and an investment in social media, the new generations of medical professionals are increasingly going online for both professional collaboration and patient support.
Whilst many older physicians may still be somewhat fearful of such developments and confined to their office hours, increasingly, a new wave of GPs are arming themselves with PDAs, setting up profiles on Facebook and posting healthcare advice on Twitter. Mobile apps like Epocrates are ubiquitous amongst hospital doctors and mobile development platforms like Apple’s SDK for iPhone and Google’s SDK for Android are changing the face of patient care for the future. And, whilst it’s ultimately impossible to come up with a precise figure for the numbe…
Whilst many older physicians may still be somewhat fearful of such developments and confined to their office hours, increasingly, a new wave of GPs are arming themselves with PDAs, setting up profiles on Facebook and posting healthcare advice on Twitter. Mobile apps like Epocrates are ubiquitous amongst hospital doctors and mobile development platforms like Apple’s SDK for iPhone and Google’s SDK for Android are changing the face of patient care for the future. And, whilst it’s ultimately impossible to come up with a precise figure for the numbe…
With increased investment in R&D largely failing to fill drug development pipelines, the pharma industry is looking to get more bang for its R&D buck by generating some return out of failed drug candidates and extra return out of others. Drug re-positioning has become a key strategy for pharmaceutical groups, and according to Datamonitor, this approach is set to become more frequently employed.
Normally in the business of curing what ails, the global pharmaceutical market has been battling to cure its own ills for a number of years now. The increasingly harsh global drug pricing environment coupled with rapid generic erosion in many of the largest and therefore most lucrative markets means that pharmaceutical companies are facing a double-edged sword of declining profitability and falling…
Normally in the business of curing what ails, the global pharmaceutical market has been battling to cure its own ills for a number of years now. The increasingly harsh global drug pricing environment coupled with rapid generic erosion in many of the largest and therefore most lucrative markets means that pharmaceutical companies are facing a double-edged sword of declining profitability and falling…
Getting a job in Clinical research or Regulatory Affairs can be tough at the best of times. Have you ever wondered how some people seem to know everybody and they are always the first to know what is happening in the industry and what roles are available?
These are the best "Networkers". I would like to share with you some of the secrets that these great Networkers use to build up their contacts to develop their own business and to increase their potential when looking for a new job in the Pharmaceutical marketplace.Being well connected to your network gives you the edge in nearly every work situation. Whether you are searching for a new job, tendering for business or just facilitating good working relationships. In the current economic climate a good network also puts you in a strong posi…
These are the best "Networkers". I would like to share with you some of the secrets that these great Networkers use to build up their contacts to develop their own business and to increase their potential when looking for a new job in the Pharmaceutical marketplace.Being well connected to your network gives you the edge in nearly every work situation. Whether you are searching for a new job, tendering for business or just facilitating good working relationships. In the current economic climate a good network also puts you in a strong posi…
Spanning one third of the globe's circumference and home to more than half of the world's population, the Asia Pacific region is incredibly diverse. This year's World Vaccine Congress Asia highlighted the enormous variation in the vaccine landscape in the region, owing to a myriad of political, cultural, economic and geographic differences.
Spanning one third of the globe's circumference and home to more than half of the world's population, the Asia Pacific region is incredibly diverse. This year's World Vaccine Congress Asia highlighted the enormous variation in the vaccine landscape in the region, owing to a myriad of political, cultural, economic and geographic differences. The Asia Pacific vaccine landscape is characterized by vast diversity. For instance, while 15 poorer Asian countrie…
Spanning one third of the globe's circumference and home to more than half of the world's population, the Asia Pacific region is incredibly diverse. This year's World Vaccine Congress Asia highlighted the enormous variation in the vaccine landscape in the region, owing to a myriad of political, cultural, economic and geographic differences. The Asia Pacific vaccine landscape is characterized by vast diversity. For instance, while 15 poorer Asian countrie…
