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.