EMJ GOLD

Roxana Redis, Associate Science Director of Advanced Modalities, Charles River Laboratories, talks about the exciting field of RNA.

In the final quarter of the year, how can pharmaceutical teams make their final budget decisions count?

The former Baxter leader talks about the founding of Vantive, the challenges facing kidney patients, improving access to dialysis and more.

Ever wondered what one of the world’s top oncology leaders believes to be the next big thing in cancer care? Find out in our interview AstraZeneca’s Dr Sunil Verma.

What key compliance considerations should pharma companies keep in mind before releasing new research in the US market, and how can they avoid compliance pitfalls?

Video is a powerful tool because it extends the reach of a live event, but does a recording ever live up to the event itself? Enter 3D interactive video.

AI is becoming less of a buzzword for those in the pharma industry. For medical affairs teams, how will it transform the function’s future?

If you want to engage HCPs, you must deliver high-quality medical education. But are all companies taking advantage of interactive quizzes?

A US congress is the place to put your drug on the map, but is this landscape the home of great customer experience for HCPs?

In today’s fast-paced pharma industry, it is vital for companies to provide an excellent customer experience for healthcare professionals.

Hear from four pharma leaders on the benefits to employees and patients of workplaces that promote inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.

A 3D, interactive approach allows pharmaceutical companies to share the latest medical breakthroughs in a more dynamic and engaging way.

Dr Harmony Garges, talks to EMJ GOLD about her decision to join the pharmaceutical industry, treating children with HIV and her views on improving access to HIV treatment.

Learn about how 3D human technology offers pharmaceutical companies a fresh and exciting way to take medical education to new heights.

The journey from approval to patient can be convoluted. How can pharma teams communicate the latest advances to busy healthcare professionals?

Stefan Woxström, Senior Vice President Europe and Canada, AstraZeneca, talks about the need for future-proofing healthcare systems, incentivising innovation and reimbursement.

Finding a way to combat the negative effects of ageing could save healthcare systems millions. Learn whether ageing could be the next big pharma market to take the world by storm.

Robyn Widenmaier (GSK) and Tabetha Sundin (AstraZeneca) discuss whether bids to improve gender parity could be the ticket to change in women’s health.

A new generation of doctors is making their way into the workforce, but is the pharmaceutical industry ready to change its tactics to engage these younger HCPs?

The value of medical affairs is not up for debate, but are companies allocating enough time and resources to make it the strategic function it can be?

A deal ends months of wrangling between the UK government and the ABPI, but what will it mean for the industry and the UK’s bid to become a life sciences superpower?

With compliance and regulatory hoops to jump through, medical affairs teams can be reluctant to try new tactics. This roundtable uncovers their relationship with risk and asks what the future holds.

Peter Ahnesorg, Global Hematology Franchise Head, Roche, talks about his background in biochemistry, his hopes for the haematology space and his approach to leadership.

Discover the past and future of hematology. Uncover the challenges, advancements, and the industry’s commitment to patient well-being.

Read about the role the pharma industry can play in ensuring patients can access the right information about medical conditions and medicines.

Dr Andreas Konieczny, Vice President and Head of Medical Affairs Europe, ImmunoGen, talks to GOLD about moving from big pharma to biotech, his passion for oncology and lessons in leadership.

The Irish pharmaceutical sector is expanding. Read more about what is driving companies to channel investment into the Emerald Isle.

To mark World Heart Day 2023, how can the industry strike a balance between driving innovation and ensuring access to care for all?

How can companies best leverage their KOLs earlier in the product lifecycle, and how do KOLs themselves want to involved?

Medical affairs and sales teams have distinctly different roles, but aren’t they just two planets orbiting the same sun?

How can medical affairs achieve efficiencies by standardising and modernising its insight gathering processes?

As the UK PMCPA publishes its first social media guidance for pharmaceutical companies, what can they do to avoid traps when it comes to posting online?

The pharmaceutical industry is being urged to take action to bridge the access gap for women with gynaecological cancers, but what steps are needed to change the game?

Karen Pinachyan, Head of Medical Affairs for Europe, CSL Behring, talks to Isabel O’Brien about the power of personalised medicine, overhauling healthcare and why it is key to know your own mind

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is finished for another year, but how did the pharmaceutical industry perform?

This week (14-16 May) is National Women’s Health Week in the US. Read what the industry can do to close the gender health gap.

Lance Hill, CEO of Within3, talks to GOLD about the challenge of creating a market for their product and his personal and professional measures of success.

Marcel Gehrung, CEO and Co-Founder, Cyted, talks to Jade Williams about the greatest challenges facing his company.

GOLD talks to Stuart Peltz, CEO, PTC Therapeutics, about his company’s journey from a single lab to a multinational corporation.

Medical affairs must have its finger on the pulse of customer and patient preferences. Social listening is a key way for teams to keep up.

Sabine Hutchison, CEO, Seuss+, and Operating Board President, EMEA, The Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, discusses the legislation, challenges and hopes for closing the pay gap in life sciences.

Pharma leader Emma Chaffin talks about leaving pharmacy for the pharma and a key challenge facing her function.

Synthetic data can streamline clinical trials and enable ideas to be tested without draining R&D budgets. Read more about pros and cons of this approach.

Explore the benefits of using agencies in pharma marketing and some of the reasons why creativity needs to be brought to the foreground.

Pharma is a popular destination for women entering the workforce, but how can the lack of representation at senior levels be addressed?

For pharma, building an ERG can be essential for inclusivity. Find out how to create a great one with these top tips.

Christi Shaw, former CEO, Kite Pharma, shares her thoughts on improving access to cell therapies and her motivations for working in oncology

Exploring the current state of the US pharmaceutical market, this article investigates the balance between innovation and access to care in the country.

Roche’s Davidek Herron offers his thoughts on the state of diversity, equity and inclusion in the pharma industry.

Despite continued advances in personalised medicine, there is still more to be done to encourage policy makers and payers to back these life-changing initiatives.

In 2021, the UK was named the sixth biggest pharmaceutical market, but it’s facing challenges to further growth. Read to find out more.

The future is brimming with possibilities for AI in healthcare, but eliminating bias is imperative, so where should pharma start?

AI holds buckets of potential for medical affairs teams, but it must be adopted considerately and correctly to meet their needs.

Pharma’s approach to customer experience could be improved with humanisation of digital touchpoints.

Novo Nordisk’s new obesity drug could be set to transform obesity care, but there’s much more that pharma can do to help.

GSK’s Judy Stewart discusses her ambition to work in pharmaceuticals and make a difference to public health, the vast GSK vaccine pipeline, leadership and the importance of work-life balance.

What are the generation differences in how HCPs want to talk to pharma? Three generations of doctors share their thoughts.

AstraZeneca’s Mina Makar talks about solving unmet needs and how to champion the patient perspective.

Many top pharma companies have cut their Twitter ad spend after the Eli Lilly scandal, but should they take a risk and return?

Roche’s Davidek Herron offers five top tips for pharma teams striving for omnichannel excellence.

How can pharma maximise the impact of key opinion leaders in the ever-evolving digital world?

Medical affairs is becoming increasingly complex, but industry-academia collaboration aims to tackle this head on.

The recent approval of lecanemab is a win for Alzheimer’s patients, but how can pharma ensure access?

Travel to Poland to discover the factors driving its pharmerging status and access to medicine challenges.

Explore the key trends and themes industry experts predict will be in store for pharma over the next 12 months.

Treatments for cancer are continuously advancing, but pharma must also focus on supporting patients’ mental health.

Pharma’s data lake is increasing in size. Read to find out how the industry can use it to its best advantage.

How can blockchain-based technology advance business development and investment?

5 minutes with Gen Li, President of clinical trial database company Phesi.

Pharma should double down on its patient centricity efforts to help tackle inequalities in 2023 and beyond, says Helena Beer.

A postcode can determine health outcomes more than genetics. How can pharma help to solve the postcode lottery?

Pharma endeavours to drive positive action from patient insights. Read to find out how they could improve their methodologies and outcomes.

RWD for rare diseases is scarce, but pharma can work to leverage existing processes and build trust to enhance the scope of available data.

Generics and biosimilars are crucial to healthcare worldwide, but there are challenges in getting these medicine to patients.

The challenges faced by the transgender community are vast, but pharma has the power to drive better health equity. Read more.

With Moderna pledging not to enforce its COVID-19 vaccine patent in 92 LMICs, a hub in South Africa is pushing ahead with replication. Read for more details.

The pandemic has exacerbated already troubling trends in the market access but has also created an opportunity for change in how drugs are priced and procured.

Pharma is making great strides in tackling climate change, but more needs to be done to meet net zero targets.

Why is the purpose and value of medical affairs sometimes poorly understood by the wider pharma organisation, and what can be done?

In his second column, Davidek Herron, Global Head of Digital, Roche, considers this year’s successes and challenges and looks ahead to 2023.

While technology advances and mindsets shift, will there be space and demand for the role of the pharma sales reps in future?

The Japanese pharma industry has many intricacies, so how can companies navigate the ups and downs?

Daiichi Sankyo’s Mary Pinder-Schenck speaks about the evolution she has witnessed in oncology throughout her career and what she predicts for the future of the field.

A new review has outlined 20 recommendations for how the UK can become a world leader in cannabinoid innovation. But is it possible?

The pharmaceutical industry has been trying to refine, reduce and replace animal testing for some time, but animal rights activists argue progress is too incremental.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade is impacting access to medical abortion, but in what ways is pharma trying to help?

Two US pricing experts dissect the implications of The Inflation Reduction for the pharma industry in this roundtable.

Landmark science has led to an inundation of new transformative therapies, but is the cell and gene market at the point of saturation?

What techniques can pharma companies adopt and adapt from the tech giants dominating the stage of modern-day innovation?

What drives Novartis Oncology’s Reshema Kemps-Polanco to succeed?

Five minutes with Anat Cohen-Dayag, CEO of clinical-stage drug discovery and development company Compugen.

After dizzying heights of investment during the pandemic, biotechs have observed a slump, but the future may look more promising.

AI is being implemented into drug development to free up time, money and manpower, but how can humans and computers work together?

In his first regular column for GOLD, Davidek Herron discusses digital transformation in pharma and pursuing operational excellence.

With opioid abuse showing little sign of abating, what role can pharma play in addressing the crisis?

Kenya is home to a budding pharma sector, but the country still faces access to medicine challenges. What are they, and how can pharma help?

Hear from two industry thought leaders to find out how the pharmaceutical industry is harnessing the COVID-19 to advance rather than derail their mission to improve female representation.

Clinical trials of the past struggled with patient enrolment and cost efficiency. What can the pharmaceutical industry learn to improve them?

In this roundtable, hear from two industry thought leaders who share their ideas on how to build synergy between pharma and patients.

What is it like to switch from medicine to MA, and are we about to see this spike in the wake of COVID-19?

With continued drive for equality across the pharma industry, the issue of parental leave is coming to the fore. But is the industry’s approach sufficiently transparent, and what more can be done?

How can pharma embrace post-conference momentum?

What is a digital twin and how do they benefit pharma?

How can pharma boost R&D efforts into women’s health issues?

Decentralised clinical trials are held in high regard in terms of climate impact, but are they as sustainable as they seem?

How can pharma tackle public mistrust in genomic medicine?

The pharmaceutical industry is a rich source of material for the small screen, but why is it framed as the perpetual bad boy?

How does a physician make a difference in medical affairs? Juby Jacob-Nara tells her story.

What lies in wait for pharma in the social media jungle?

Blockchain allow patients to own their data and better protects their personal information. How could it change the data landscape in pharma?

India, known by some as ‘the pharmacy of the world’, has a growing pharma reputation, but what has shaped this company’s ascension to pharmaceutical powerhouse status?

How can the industry empower MSLs as they do sales reps?

The Sunshine Rule swept away the clouds that cast shade over the pharmaceutical industry’s interactions with its customers, but what has been its impact five years on?

Sanofi’s Bill Sibold shares his tips on reducing time to market for pharmaceutical drugs, public perceptions of the industry after COVID-19 and more.

Are public-private partnerships set to be drivers of innovation across the pharmaceutical industry? Read to find out more.

Non-adherence to medication can be caused by a range of factors, including unconscious biases. How can pharma rework current models to ensure they are connecting with patients?

Read the article to find out what action the pharma industry has taken to help Ukraine during the conflict.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to human health worldwide, with inconceivable consequences. Is pharma doing enough?

Claus Zieler, President of Established Markets at Astellas, speaks about the role leaders play in cultivating an enticing company culture

Brazil has consistently appeared in the top 10 global pharmaceutical markets over the last decade and is making steady progress.

The first-time launch landscape is growing. In an increasing number of cases, it’s emerging biopharma and biotech companies launching new drugs rather than established pharma giants leading the way.

Reverse mentoring challenges the status quo and flips traditional learning dynamics on their axis. This how-to guide deconstructs what must be considered when building a reverse mentoring scheme in pharma.

How can emergency measures be translated into permanent solutions to increase the power and number of these trials?

A highly-effective pharmacovigilance function is a rising value differentiator for pharmaceutical companies. Read to find out more about the challenges.

The pharmaceutical industry views itself as increasingly patient centric, but do two patient advocates agree? In this roundtable discussion, they consider what the industry is doing well, and their views on how it could improve further

John Wahba, Medical Head of the Global Digital Hub, GSK, talks about how collaboration and teamwork will drive change in pharma, his views on digital and omnichannel optimisation and his passion for patient empowerment

The ambition of the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association is to drive change in diversity, equity and inclusion healthcare and life sciences. Read the article to find out how.

TikTok took younger generations by storm in 2021. Is it time for pharma to turn to the platform? Read the article to find out more.

While the pharma industry is far away from immersing patients and HCPs in an open world of role play games, extended use of gamification is certainly on the horizon. FInd out more.

Exploring the pharmaceutical landscape in South Africa, GOLD considers several areas that are shaping the nation’s role in the future of global pharmaceuticals

GOLD explores pharma’s future in the metaverse, untangling the good, the bad and the uncertainties. Find out more.

Davidek Herron, Global Head of Digital at Roche, speaks to Isabel O’Brien about the myths surrounding digital transformation and much more.

The FDA has released new guidance on the use of real-world data and real-world evidence in drug development.

GOLD reviews the pharma industry approach to organisational change, strategising tips to drive it from the top down or bottom up.

The pharmaceutical industry needs to help restoring pre-pandemic routine vaccination levels and protect populations worldwide.

Today is World Health Day, and to celebrate GOLD asked Claire Gillis, CEO, VMLY&R Health, to share her thoughts on using creativity to create better access to healthcare for all

Now that the world has had time to see the risks and rewards of ChatGPT, pharma industry must decide whether to take it or leave it. Read for more.

Digital therapeutics are making their way onto the main stage, and pharma should be taking note. What lies ahead for potential partnerships?

GOLD explores what the pharmaceutical industry’s future might look like with the adoption of blockchain technology within its key functions.

Technology has redefined the exchange of health information. Find out how the pharma industry can help patients build confidence about digital health tools.

Europe is a front runner for pharmaceutical research and thought leadership Find out in what measure this is translating into home-grown innovation.

The pharmaceutical supply chain is vulnerable to adverse events, and the pandemic has served as a reminder of how these networks can be tested. The industry has learned tough lessons from COVID-19 that must be translated into modernisation and improvements

The pandemic revived all areas of vaccine development. Read more about the effect of Covid-19 on investment, development and commercialisation of vaccines.

A world without illness or disease sounds like a far-off fantasy, but some players in the pharmaceutical industry are investigating how to transform this vision into a reality.

As China enters the year of the tiger – a symbol of strength and bravery – GOLD journeys to this powerhouse nation to explore how it has become the second largest pharmaceutical market in the world

Recruitment for pharma is not an easy task, especially when the goal is to appeal to the younger generation. Read the article and find out more.

The pharmaceutical industry is on a journey to create more diverse and inclusive working cultures. Read the article to find out more.

How can pharma companies improve inclusivity across their R&D cycles?

Biotechs have stood as agile hubs for drug discovery, but now they are being coveted by investors.

The amount of digital content being created for healthcare professionals has grown exponentially. Medical affairs teams must find a way to cut through the noise with their communications

As the pharmaceutical industry embraces digital transformation, new technologies have the potential to sink or swim. How can the industry ensure it’s backing the most effective innovations and not getting stuck in dead ends?

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped pharmaceutical sales, moving from face-to-face to predominantly digital interactions. How can sales reps adapt to multichannel approaches and enhance performance amidst this shift in sales training and team dynamics?

The pharmaceutical industry’s digital transformation during the pandemic has fuelled fresh opportunities to collect and harness data, but this venture must be approached with a strong consideration for consent and preference management rules

An interview with Tamika-Jean Baptiste, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Amgen.

Rejection is always painful, but it is particularly agonising to have a drug rejected at the point of regulatory approval. After spending months researching, preparing, manufacturing and quality checking a drug, only to be sent back to the drawing board, how can companies get back into their creationary swing straight away?

The corporate environment is evolving, and ‘purpose’ is more important than ever to young recruits looking for their next role. We examine how the pharmaceutical industry is embracing the importance of purpose for retention, reputation, and brand differentiation

From drug development to disposal, how can all processes and functions be considered through a greener lens, and work towards a healthier and safer future?

While the potential of cell and gene therapies (CGTs) is huge, the high cost raises concerns from payers. We explore how the industry can drive the adoption of CGTs to ensure that they reach patients around the world, rather than just those in private markets

During the pandemic, low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs) have often been reliant on vaccine handouts from global initiatives and affluent nations. What are the emerging solutions that could improve access to vaccines in LMICs and self-sufficiency?

Tech giants have seized a huge share of the health and preventive technology market, but how could partnerships between the pharmaceutical and tech industries benefit patients and healthcare systems?

To do well at digital transformation, pharma leaders must balance skills development with maintaining employee morale.

Christine Miller is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and member of the board, Melinta Therapeutics, speaks to us about her path into the pharmaceutical industry, her mission to end antimicrobial resistance, and how to be an effective leader in pharma today

Amidst an ever-changing launch landscape, the COVID-19 pandemic has entirely disrupted the pharmaceutical industry, encouraging adaptation for success. By understanding the transformed patient journey, leveraging digital campaigns, and innovating in healthcare marketing strategies, how can pharma find new avenues for launch success?

Social justice is a rising priority for all industries, but particularly for the pharmaceutical sector in the wake of COVID-19 and the social inequities it unveiled. We look at how the industry is increasingly working alongside the world’s top advertising agencies to promote growth from good in their activities.

Neurological conditions are complex and require a high level of expertise and sensitivity, making them an juicy area for medical affairs teams. How do the challenges shape the MA role in this space and how is the landscape evolving?

As the pharmaceutical industry transitions from the Trump to the Biden era, what regulatory changes can be expected and how will a new approach to healthcare policy affect the sector? 

Addressing global access to medicine, particularly in LMICs, poses a significant challenge. As COVID-19 vaccines are distributed, how can the pharmaceutical industry ensure they reach vulnerable populations in these countries while protecting patent rights? 

While the pandemic has placed pressure and strain on all members of society, it has had a profound and lesser acknowledged effect on unpaid and family carers. What has been the impact of COVID-19 on those looking after loved ones and how can we better support them in the future?

How is the data revolution going to impact the marketing and medical functions?

Some thoughts about how the Rare Disease Act impacted pharma and if it needs further updating after almost 20 years.

Monica Shaw, Executive Vice President, Region EUROPE Plus, LEO Pharma, speaks with GOLD about digital transformation in healthcare

While pharmaceutical marketers used to rely heavily on push marketing, since the pandemic, a call to move to pull advertising has prevailed. How can pharma further engage the medical affairs function to draw in doctors with tailored, scientific content that is targeted and trustworthy?

The pharmaceutical industry could have been better prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic. What did they learn that will help them respond better in the future?

In this roundtable, three thought leaders detail the barriers in the way of digital transformation and outline their vision for the future.

How can pharma transform its approach to patients by introducing digital platforms and virtual care into their spaces?

How can AI help MA retain their human touch as the industry reimagines the field and creates a best-in-class function?

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) has become a core focus for pharma, but how can it go one step further and cultivate a culture of belonging?

we look at how AI tools can boost traditional marketing campaigns’ productivity, improve targeting, and deliver significant business value.

In what ways can we hold each other accountable, not just for the number of women in leadership, but how women, and especially women of colour, are represented and supported throughout the hiring pipeline?

After years of tough negotiations, the UK has left the European Union. GOLD explores how pharmaceutical innovation has been affected as the UK works to replace EU resources and make use of its new-found regulatory freedom

The disruptor that is COVID-19 has turned everything upside down, including disease awareness campaigns. GOLD catches up with pharma marketing experts to see how they have adapted to their circumstances.

The pharmaceutical industry has long struggled with its reputation, but 2020 offered an opportunity for reform. How has their response to the crisis affected perceptions, or is misinformation still getting in the way?

While attention was channelled into COVID-19, patients awaiting other treatments were deprioritised. How can pharma ensure no patients are left behind?

Hear from two thought leaders who share their passion for health economics, their thoughts on non-traditional models, and how they predict drugs will be costed in the future.

COVID-19 has revealed a pandemic of another kind: existing health inequities between population groups. We explore the role and responsibility of medical affairs teams in addressing imbalances and forging a fairer and more inclusive health landscape for the future

What are the obstacles in the way of rolling out precision medicine and how can medical affairs professionals overcome them to fast-track adoption for patients?

What role can medical affairs professionals play in filling this knowledge gap as they communicate the importance of sexual health?

Cyber-attacks have become a mounting threat to the pharmaceutical industry over the past year, putting COVID-19 research data as well as supply and distribution chains at risk. We explore what can pharma learn from more experienced industries as they try to mitigate hacking

Dr Nick West, Chief Medical Officer, Abbott Vascular, shares with GOLD his hopes for the future of personalised care, enhancing patient centricity worldwide and the upskilling potential of virtual reality.

What value can Digital Opinion Leaders (DOLs) bring to medical affairs?

The gender pay gap is far from solved, how companies can address the imbalance head-on?

Bernie Zeiher is the Chief Medical Officer at Astellas Pharma. Bernie spoke to us about making decisions with the patient in mind, the power of inclusive and diverse teams, and the importance of curiosity and continuous learning

How can the industry create a culture that integrates digital transformation within organisations and unites people under a common purpose?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical sales reps have been forced to navigate the virtual playing field, and as they operate in this new territory, their confidence is wavering.

We hear from three industry thought leaders who share their insights regarding the importance of championing diversity as well as their vision for pharma’s future.

How can pharma better engage with male patients and encourage them to become more proactive when it comes to looking after their own health?

With a focus on open channels of communication, pharma and the NHS have the potential not just to survive, but to truly thrive.

Achieving equal and accurate representation in clinical trials has long been a challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. We have made great progress towards the goal of patient inclusivity, but what more can be done to ensure that all patient groups are adequately represented and how can digital help to achieve this?

Mace Rothenberg, Chief Medical Officer, Pfizer, speaks to us about his sustained passion for advancing the field of oncology, the importance of diverse representation in patient groups, and the challenges of balancing lifespan with health span.

How ‘recession-proof’ is pharma, and what challenges has COVID-19 posed to this famously robust industry?

How can the pharmaceutical industry and, in particular, medical affairs teams, take pragmatic approaches to combat and curb antimicrobial resistance?

Celebrity endorsements can transform a mediocre pharma campaign into a pitch-perfect hit, but choosing the right spokesperson is crucial. We explore the practice of attaching famous faces to campaigns and how to ensure a representative strikes the right chord

Labelling is the vessel through which vital instructions and information about products are communicated to end-users, and in the pharmaceutical industry, medical affairs are entrusted with safeguarding these products from misuse, by balancing scientific accuracy with conciseness and coherence.

Innovative technology has changed the game in pharma, from AI-powered marketing campaigns to DNA sequencing tools. When this technology is combined with creative thinking, the potential for success is vast. It is critical for pharma to marry creativity with technology as they drive towards a patient-centric future

Francesca Wuttke, Chief Digital Officer, Almirall, shares her thoughts on how digital transformation, motivation and innovation can change patients’ lives for the better.

Rare diseases are complex conditions, but these patients are highly educated and determined, using platforms such as social media to make strides towards improving knowledge. It is vital that medical affairs executives consult these empowered, expert patients as they uncover unmet needs and think beyond the medication.

Meet the Chief Digital Officer: a person that ensures a pharmaceutical company evolves with the times through continued collaboration and culture shifts.

Measuring the impact of medical affairs is less straightforward than it is for R&D or commercial, but we must establish success metrics.

The commercial value of RWE is yet to be realised, but the benefits extend far beyond the aisles in which it is currently in high demand.

The pharma industry is dabbling in the game of social media, and it’s no secret that they need to have a better presence on these platforms.

More and more digital therapeutics are hitting the market, taking the patient experience of healthcare into a more innovative, less invasive place, but are these digital devices worth the hype?

In pharma’s bid to be patient centric, it must bring the patient voice to the drug development process with the help of medical affairs.

The transition from reactive to proactive treatments correlates with society’s new-found focus on well-being, and the pharma industry must embrace wellness and adapt to steamroll this into improved overall outcomes for patients.

At one point in time, our world’s most valuable commodity was oil. Fast forward to the digital age and that accolade is held by data. Free-flowing rivers of it double up as life sources that all industries, including the pharmaceutical industry, have become dependent on. However, as consumers learn the true value of their own information, the broken dam of data is patched up with privacy laws.

Pharmaceutical companies have embraced the corporate social media account, but many lack the personal touch of a profile run by their leader. The opportunity to connect with employees and patients alike is unbounded; the time to log on is now.

While health tech is not set to drive pharma out of business, it is essential that the industry incorporates it into future strategies.

It is time for the pharmaceutical industry to recognise their duty of care to the planet as well as patients, and drastically reduce their carbon footprint.

Amidst the public discourse surrounding sustainability and ethical practices, is the problem of pharmaceutical waste. It is imperative that the pharmaceutical industry actively seeks solutions.

Dr Terri L. Phillips, Vice President and Head Global Medical Affairs, Merz, speaks to us about championing women in the workplace, her experience in the US army medical corps, and the changing nature of medical affairs.

Globally, 5 billion people have access to medication, leaving 2 billion, predominantly in the developing world, who do not. As a challenge that only continues to grow in complexity, with ever-changing regulations and continual development of treatments, market access appears to be the pharmaceutical industry’s mission impossible

Over the past two centuries, the landscape of pharmaceutical marketing has transformed almost beyond recognition. We reflect on the propelling reasons behind such metamorphic change and consider the impact of emerging platforms: from print to radio and from TV to online.

Low levels of return on investment in R&D is an issue that has been bubbling beneath the surface of pharmaceutical companies for some time and the situation is coming to a head, threatening the industry’s future

Patient recruitment and retention remain the biggest challenges in clinical studies, it is surely time for industry to trial a new approach.

Learn about the origins of the medical affairs function, how far it’s come and where it may be heading in the future as key proprietor of patient centricity.