MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'dtc'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:33 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078037&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzlP6m6NMZek%2F Last week, the Pfizer Facebook page was hacked by ScriptKiddies, setting off a flurry of chatter about not just hacking, but the extent to which this episode would affect the way drugmakers view the virtues of Facebook and, beyond that, social media (back story). This happened just as Facebook changes it rules so that drugmakers will no longer be allowed to disable comments, prompting some to consider walking away from Facebook (see this and this). We spoke with Rich Meyer, a former Eli Lilly marketer who worked on the Prozac and Cialis brand teams, and now runs Online Strategic Solutions and the World of DTC Marketing blog, for his thoughts on the implications… Pharmalot: How bad was the hacking incident? Meyer: For consumers and patients, I don’t think it was that bad. They know ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078037 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 13:23:23 +0100 5078037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069818&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FrIaNzGppPTA%2F Three years after making a proposal that would have allowed drugmakers to publish product information in consumer newspapers and magazines, the European Commission is going back to the proverbial drawing board and plans to issue a new proposal this fall, an EC spokesman writes us. The move comes after its initial effort was widely criticized and rejected by the European Parliament. “The European Commission will revise the proposals to clarify and harmonize the rules in what companies can and can’t say to patients,” Peter Arlett, who heads pharmacovigilance and risk management at the European Medicines Agency, tells Bloomberg News. The EMA, he adds, recently received a letter from the EC about its intention to revise its proposal. The original EC effort, which was unveiled in ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069818 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:04:00 +0100 5069818 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069822&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8WFD_ZbuCB4%2F Hello, everyone, and top of the morning to you. Another shiny day is unfolding on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where we have much to do. You know, the drill - reading documents, making phone calls, finding interesting tidbits. To prepare, yes, we are downing that mandatory cup of stimulation - our flavor today is Wild Mountain Blueberry. So please join us. Meanwhile, here are some items from around the world. Hope your day goes well and stay in touch… Pfizer’s Zyvox and Antidepressants May Cause Fatal Reaction (Bloomberg News) Valeant Approaches Swedish Drugmaker Mada About A Takeover (Bloomberg News) Abortion Pill Given Via Telemedicine Is Safe And Effective (Reuters) Vertex Says Hepatitis C Drug Combo Works (Reuters) Naeja Pharmaceutical R&D Facility Catches Fire (Cal... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069822 Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:41:22 +0100 5069822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893921&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FREZzViN0L2Q%2F The other day, the US Congressional Budget Office issued a brief that spelled out the upside and downside of a moratorium on direct-to-consumer advertising (see here). That bottom line message suggested that DTC does offer a public health benefit and that drugmakers would likely shift much of their promotional efforts to doctors. But a new survey suggests that DTC may have reached the proverbial point of diminishing returns, according to Cutting Edge Information, which queried 19 drugmakers and found that many, if given the opportunity, would spend additional promotional dollars in other ways. Drugmakers surveyed say they make 14 percent more money by using DTC than if the advertising was discontinued and spending remained static for other promotional efforts. But the return on DTC is als... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893921 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:26:28 +0100 4893921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4883906&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F0AeYJTTYrjk%2F Over the past several years, Congress has regularly considered legislation to restrict direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, perhaps for the first couple of years after a med has been approved by the FDA. The rationale has been that DTC ads encourage unnecessary use of some meds and lead to usage before risks are fully known. Nothing has passed yet, but the idea lives on. And so the US Congressional Budget Office has issued a brief and found drugmakers would probably expand marketing to docs in order to substitute for any banned ads; the number of prescriptions filled for some drugs would probably decline, but for others, scrips may not change, since there would be other forms of promotion, and any change in prices would depend on changes in demand. Moreover, a moratorium c... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4883906 Tue, 31 May 2011 13:57:51 +0100 4883906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4759038&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FuO-4Fn87I3M%2F File this under ‘better late than never…sort of.’ Several years after the Internet took off and branded product web sites began appearing, the FDA is now getting ready to study the extent to which risk and benefit information is presented and digested. The details are expected to appear tomorrow in the Federal Register. “This research is relevant to current policy questions and debate and will complement qualitative research we plan to conduct on issues surrounding social media. The original regulations that presently determine FDA’s position on DTC promotion were written at a time when the available media for DTC promotion were print and broadcast, and the primary audience was health care professionals. This dynamic is shifting, and evidence is needed to support ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4759038 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:34:57 +0100 4759038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560593&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fa3XeUYxmKn0%2F More than a decade has past since direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs has become a fixture of American culture. More recently, though, the so-called unbranded ad - which discusses diseases instead of specific meds - has become equally ubiquitous. But how do these resonate with consumers? A new study finds that non-branded ads compared favorably with conventional ads for specific branded meds. A total of 437 people were divided into two groups and then four subgroups, who were shown branded or non-branded ads for either allergy meds or oral contraceptives (drug and company names were fictitious in order to reduce bias). They were asked 16 questions to measure involvement and attitude toward the ads, the companies and the pharmaceutical industry. The upshot? Not surprisingl... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560593 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:54:11 +0100 4560593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4507582&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fjhk8uLvM9QY%2F Call it congressional deja vu. Last week, a pair of bills that previously went nowhere were again introduced and both take aim at brand-name drugmakers. The first, called the Say No to Drug Ads Act, would eliminate tax breaks for direct-to-consumer advertising and was introduced by Jerry Nadler, a Democratic Congressman from New York who failed to enlist any co-sponsors. The rationale for his repeat effort is that DTC ads allow drugmakers to “keep prices artificially high, steering consumers – and physicians – away from generics…It’s bad enough that TV drug ads mislead consumers and tout benefits of high-priced drugs without properly conveying the risks, but the drug companies don’t need extra subsidies to do so,” he says in a statement. (You can read the bill her... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4507582 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:27:06 +0100 4507582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4460181&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FwKUwtDU-Yns%2F The floodgates opened in 1997. That was when the FDA decided to allow direct-to-consumer advertising on television, initiating a great debate about the virtues of such DTC ads for prescription drugs between drugmakers, doctors and patients that, eventually, embroiled legislators, ad agencies and First Amendment lawyers. Why? Doctors have been angry that patients were incorrectly pressuring them for prescriptions. Other critic complained that ads minimized risks, steered patients toward expensive meds and promoted unnecessary usage. Pharma, meanwhile, has pointed out that ads successfully enlighten consumers and drive them to learn more about their health, sometimes having meaningful discussions with docs. Now, though, TV ads may have reached a watermark. Why? Writing in The New York Times,... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4460181 Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:26:07 +0100 4460181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322688&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Felitist-pharmaceutical-marketing.html After writing about golf pro Phil Mickelson being a "shill" for ENBREL (see "Amgen Blows Its Marketing Budget on Phil Mickelson Campaign"), I got into a conversation with a Twitter friend who shall remain anonymous. This person suggested that it is possible that golf and golf pro sponsorships consume more than 15% of a pharma company's DTC marketing budget. "15% for Golf is huge!", I said. "Not necessarily," said my friend. "The dollars also include other expenses besides endorsement such as internal PR costs."I'm not sure what this person meant by "internal PR" costs. Some money obviously was spent getting the "Phil Mickelson takes ENBREL and feels NO pain" stories published in the "free" press. I made my final point: "I think the bigger issue is the focus on golf endorsements rather than... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322688 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:27:00 +0100 4322688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4305102&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FCxc41W3S1Z8%2F And so it has come to this: a direct-to-consumer ad for Rapaflo, which is used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including urinary frequency and urgency, is being promoted in a magazine ad that shows a man peeing by the side of the road. Certainly, the sudden need to pee is a universal phenomenon and relieving oneself in unusual venues is hardly unique (although there can be consequences: three of The Rolling Stones were arrested for doing so on the wall of a London gas station in 1965). And given that the photo suggests there is no bathroom in the desert, the poor fellow can hardly be blamed for splashing the dusty roadside (perhaps he forgot to bring a handy-dandy bottle for such occasions?) In running the ad, Watson Pharmaceuticals, which markets Rapaflo, and its ad agency, mo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4305102 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:57:40 +0100 4305102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275541&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fgenetic-test-may-refine-psa-or-it-may.html I am going to read this article for the seventh time and get back to you this week. In case you missed it, the PR Firm hired by DeCode pumped out a presser (press release), which I refuse to link to directly.....which essentially said "Analysis of Four SNPs, in Tandem With Genetic Risk Factors Detected by the deCODE ProstateCancer(TM) Test, Yields Substantial Improvement in Efficacy of PSA Screening"OK, 4 SNPs tells us whose PSA value is a bad 2.8 vs. good 5.8?Or at least that's what the Kari S. tells us"This is straighforward genetics with direct clinical utility." -Kari S. (Yes they rushed the release out with the misspelling of "straightforward")Ok, so tell me, how has this straightforward genetic test performed in a prospective analysis?What do you mean you haven't done that yet? So ho... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275541 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:26:00 +0100 4275541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266212&cid=t_110755_147_f&fid=39273&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FVkPTOWYFWD0%2Fsocial-media-changed-game-but-rules.html By: Marc DresnerWhat constitutes responsible marketing in the pharmaceutical and health care industries?Hah! Wouldn’t you like to know…Problem is regulators have a legacy of keeping their cards close to the vest – especially the blank ones.As far back as the ancient days of DTC when dinosaurs, print and broadcast ruled the earth, the regulatory rule of thumb has been: you tell us, then we’ll tell you you’re wrong.Thousands of (digital) years later – roughly three terrestrial years – emerging media platforms like Twitter have turned a regulatory minefield into…well…a regulatory minefield, only on steroids.Under the circumstances, to even attempt to navigate the digital frontier would seem a fool’s errand. But to do nothing? Even more foolish.According to Mark Senak – a... ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266212 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:43:00 +0100 4266212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4249239&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fpfizer-responds-but-did-i-get-answer.html On the urging of a FaceBook friend, I behaved like a "journalist" and contacted Pfizer directly about an issue I raised regarding a Lyrica print DTC ad. For background, see here and here.Pfizer did respond to me in a timely manner, which I appreciate given the current state of media frenzy regarding the resignation -- I mean retirement -- of Kindler, Pfizer's CEO. I'm not sure if Twitter facilitated the process or if my multiple phone calls/voicemails to various media people at Pfizer were responsible. Within a couple of hours, however, Chris Loder, Pfizer's Head of US Media Relations, gave me a call and said he needed some time to research the issue, but promised someone would followup soon.After Chris called, I sent him this email so Pfizer could respond to a specific issue I was interes... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4249239 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:17:00 +0100 4249239 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4238143&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fpfizers-latest-lyrica-dtc-ad-should-be.html Do you have "chronic widespread MUSCLE pain?" That's the question asked in a Lyrica direct-to-consumer (DTC) print Ad in a recent issue of Prevention magazine (see image below). "The answer may be over-active NERVES," says the ad. The implication is that Lyrica treats "muscle pain" caused by "over-active nerves."Yet Lyrica is officially approved by the FDA "to treat Diabetic Nerve Pain, Pain after Shingles, and Fibromyalgia. LYRICA is also indicated to treat Partial Onset Seizures in adults with epilepsy who take 1 or more drugs for seizures." Neither "widespread MUSCLE pain" nor "Over-active NERVES" is mentioned in the approved labeling for Lyrica. And the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that the causes of fibromyalgia are "unknown."Pfizer even includes a diagram (left) showing h... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4238143 Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:36:00 +0100 4238143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4225652&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fare-you-serious-tm-good-example-of-why.html Many pharma marketing experts wonder why pharmaceutical marketers spend approximately 70% of their DTC advertising budgets on expensive TV advertising when they might get better bang for their bucks advertising through other channels such as the Internet. Whether or not you agree with that, there's one indisputable factor about TV advertising to consider: the opportunity for brand managers to play at being directors, mingle with the stars, and even to have a "cameo" part in the production.A good example of that is a disease awareness campaign called Are You Serious?TM, launched by Johnson & Johnson's wholly-owned Centocor Ortho Biotech division. This was described in a JNJBTW Blog guest post (here) by Craig Stoltz, Director, Product Communications, Immunology, Centocor Ortho Biotech In... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4225652 Thu, 02 Dec 2010 12:46:00 +0100 4225652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183446&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Frespiragene-test-and-ct-screening-for.html I love personalized medicine.I absolutely think it is beyond fantastic to be able to say to a patient "This is the drug for you"Or, we need to screen for disease X because of Gene Y and your family historyBut what I don't love is companies purporting the import of their special home brew test to do personalized medicine without any sort of data backing them up.A news report and "AACR Feature" highlighted precisely that. A test with no data......From the article:Researchers administered a gene-based predisposition test that incorporates 20 genetic markers associated with smoking-related lung damage and propensity to lung cancer along with clinical factors including age, family history and diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to derive a risk score on a 1 to 12 scale with highe... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183446 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 02:14:00 +0100 4183446 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4143017&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fnew-lipitor-ads-dis-exercise-healthy.html In its most recent TV and print ads for Lipitor, Pfizer highlights a middle-aged man working out in a gym. In bold text and voice overs, the ad asks "Are You Kidding Yourself?" The print ad -- an example from this week's Time Magazine is shown here (click for an enlarged view) -- goes on to say "A lot of people think exercise and healthy diet are enough to lower cholesterol. For 2 out 3, it may not be."Damn! You mean that the odds of me lowering my cholesterol via exercise and diet are only 1 in 3? This is the first time I have ever seen a DTC (direct to consumer) ad that so blatantly "disses" exercise and diet. At least, that's what it sounds like to me.Older Lipitor ads featured active people -- mostly men -- such as "doctors" rowing and guys skiing or biking, etc. These ads only hinted ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4143017 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:54:00 +0100 4143017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122066&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fbe-macho-man-ask-your-doctor-for-viagra.html I came across this Viagra print ad in this week's Time magazine."You may be a man of FEW WORDS," proclaims the large headline of the ad, "but you know when to make them count. When there's something worth saying, you say it."I will try and be a man of few words as I critique this ad; you tell me if they are worth anything.This ad is a bit unusual in several respects, the most important of which is that it is "dark." The ad's dominant color scheme is black and dark green, which is more reminiscent of ads I've seen for men's deodorants in Playboy magazine, which I read for the interviews.The ad also prominently features an African-American male. I suppose not enough men of color are speaking up and asking their doctors about Viagra.It's a fact that a higher proportion of blacks in the U.S. -... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122066 Sat, 30 Oct 2010 12:23:00 +0100 4122066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119706&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fanswers-that-wont-matter-critique-of.html The pharmaceutical industry is fighting a losing battle (IMHO) against negative public opinion. The latest weapon to be employed in this battle is a 52-page "booklet" entitled "The Value of Medicine, Improving Health...Improving Life" published by Eli Lilly (find pdf here).World of DTC Marketing blogger Rich Meyer asks "The real question is will consumers buy it in an era of mistrust and misinformation?" (see Lilly fights back with “The Value of Medicine”). I think the real question is "Will consumers read it in an era of apps and sound bites?" A 52-page PDF document is a bit much to ask the average consumer to digest even with all the pretty charts and graphs with circles and arrows and paragraphs explaining what each chart is about.Also, I must say that Lilly engages in some "misinfo... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119706 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:25:00 +0100 4119706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4119707&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fnegative-facial-coding-hamstrings.html Even though pharmaceutical marketers are NOT exploiting social media to the degree that industry consultants and agencies would like them to, they have learned one important lesson from social media: people trust people like themselves more than they trust company spokespeople or even so-called experts. That may be why you are seeing more and more direct-to-consumer (DTC) ads on TV and in print that feature real patients who offer testimonials to the advertised Rx drug. Pfizer, for example, is currently running Lipitor and Chantix ads in which real patient users of the drug tell their stories. Previously, Pfizer, like so many other drug companies, employed actors that portrayed physicians or "real" physicians in these ads. That, however, backfired spectacularly when it was discovered that ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4119707 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:08:00 +0100 4119707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013545&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FkoB2Sk4HOgk%2F Rise and shine, everyone. Another sunny day is emerging here on the Pharmalot corporate campus where we are happily brewing our latest cup of stimulation - aromatic Southern Pecan. Please join us as we indulge, even if you prefer a healthy bottle of water instead. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits from around your universe. Hope your day goes well and do stay in touch… Bristol-Myers Squibb Recalls Some Avalide Samples (Reuters) Failed Hepatitis Vaccine Protected Infants In Study (MedPage Today) UK’s NICE Backs Some Herceptin Use In Gastric Cancer (Reuters) Lilly Scientists Have New Home For Designing Cancer Meds (Indianapolis Star) New Bayer CEO Sees More M&A Spending (Bloomberg News) Prescription Meds Overtake Illegal Substances (Los Angeles Times) Pediatricians Want To ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013545 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 11:47:14 +0100 4013545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3943022&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fwill-avandia-failure-lead-to-more.html In a BMJ editorial, editor Fiona Godlee contends that Avandia "should not have been licensed and should now be withdrawn." She cites problems that FDA discovered with the RECORD post-marketing study and finds fault with regulatory agencies' oversight of such studies.Regulators should "should require a higher quality of evidence," Godlee says, "including proof that new drugs are better than existing drugs before being licensed. And if they do ask the manufacturer to undertake post-marketing trials, they must do a better job of overseeing the way these trials are designed and done."Godlee also called for other reforms, including "far greater transparency from industry and the regulators, including access to raw data and funding for independent trials..."Holding out a carrot in front of this ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3943022 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3943022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911866&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FhVsGkz31etk%2F For all the talk about embracing the Internet and social media, the amount of healthcare and pharma ad spending online will remain steady at about 4 percent of the total in 2014, even as the annual projected increases in such spending climb significantly. This year, for instance, online ad spending is expected to rise 10.6 percent, to $1 billion, and grow by 9.3 percent in 2014 to $1.52 billion. Why is the total online pharma and healthcare spending - which includes both direct-to-consumer ads for prescription meds and over-the-counter salves - not going to account for very much? There are several reasons, according to eMarketer, which issued the report. For one thing, the FDA has not yet issued clear guidelines for search and social media, although these may be released later this year. F... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911866 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:16:25 +0100 3911866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3911871&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2Fow37zDh7aW0%2Fwhy-is-pharma-afraid-of-digital.html At the World of DTC Marketing Blog, Rich Meyer looks at why phamra companies are afraid of entering the pharma digital marketing space. Meyer points out that even though the ROI of Pharma television commercials is minimal, it's what is known to the industry, so it continues to market that way. Many hold back from digital marketing because it is a foreign and unknown concept to marketing. In addition, there are few Pharma marketers who know and understand the space before they enter it. Meyer gives a few more reasons Pharma Marketers are afraid to enter the digital space. What are other setbacks for the Pharma marketing industry? (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3911871 Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:58:00 +0100 3911871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3885345&cid=t_110755_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-dna-dilemma%2F2010.08.19 Mary Carmichael of Newsweek had a great series of articles focusing on direct-to-consumer genetic testing. An excerpt: I’ve been following DTC genetics since 2007, when wide scanning first became available to the public. Since then, a number of writers have gotten wide-scale genetic tests and expounded on the results. Indeed, I sometimes wonder if I’m the last science reporter on earth with virgin genes. (Technical virgin: My doctor gave me a cystic fibrosis carrier test when I was pregnant.) Initially, I put off getting a full-genome scan because I wasn’t sure how useful such a test would be. I had no particular reason to take one, save curiosity. I wouldn’t expect to find anything serious and potentially life-altering like the Huntington’s disease gene in my results, because ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3885345 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:00:08 +0100 3885345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3758105&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fgsk-kills-fda-beast-avandia-lives.html It seems that the 14 million pages of documents that GSK submitted to the FDA in defense of Avandia has had the intended effect: overwhelming FDA's advisory panel with "science," questionable as it may be.I'm reminded of the scene in the original King Kong movie that fascinated me as a kid: the scene in which King Kong rips open the jaws of the T Rex and kills it. That's exactly what GSK has done to the FDA -- ripped open its regulatory jaws and rendered it powerless to take Avandia off the market even though it is known that the drug is responsible for the deaths of 400 times more people per year than is Toyota's cars (see "If Drugs Were Like Automobiles").I have no doubt that the FDA will follow the recommendations of the advisory committee, the majority (17) of whose members voted to ke... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3758105 Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:08:00 +0100 3758105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3718696&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FoOozbSbd4XU%2F The FDA is always under the gun, and both critics and supporters often point to a lack of funding. So how much money might be headed its way in fiscal 2011? Yesterday, the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee did a mark up and suggested $2.57 billion in funding – $55 million above the budget request. This is discretionary spending. Overall, the agency would have $3.8 billion for oversight - roughly $214 million above last year’s bill - when including $1.2 billion in user fees, notes Rosa DeLauro, the Connecticut Democrat who chairs the subcommittee, who has been harping on drug safety lately. [EDITORS' NOTE: Yes, there was a math problem earlier and we have clarified the numbers]. So the proposal include... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3718696 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:49:21 +0100 3718696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714443&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FmA4PGY91Dv4%2F Where is direct-to-consumer advertising headed this year? Which activities will garner a bigger share of the budget than others? Celebrity endorsements? Product placements? Patient education? To get a grip, Cegedim Dendrite surveyed 199 folks from drugmakers, ad agencies and consultants, and learned that 51 percent say DTC will be more effective this year, while 45 percent say it will be less effective. They also learned that… Overall, the DTC spending outlook is brighter - 41 percent believe spending will increase this year, which is up from 20 percent last year. However, 31 percent expect DTC spending will stay the same, while 54 percent of those who foresee lower spending say funds will be shifted to different programs. Such as? 19 percent say a shift to targeted direct-to-patient... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714443 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:52:11 +0100 3714443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662921&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fdtc-marketing-mix-radio-outdoor-ad.html As reported by Nielsen Monitor Plus and reported in the June, 2010, issue of DTC Perspectives, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising spend by the pharma industry increased by nearly 2% in 2009 versus 2008 (see trend chart below). As reported by DTC Perspectives, radio and outdoor "see largest increases in 2009 DTC promotion" (112% and 55%, respectively), whereas Internet spending (display ads only) saw a 31% increase. About 2.6% (a meager $117 MM) of pharma's DTC ad spend budget in 2009 was devoted to Internet display ads (4.4% if you include search advertising, which is estimated to be about 40% of the total Internet spend). The following chart compares the 2009 mix with the 2008 mix.Not much of a change. (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662921 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:12:00 +0100 3662921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3658922&cid=t_110755_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F14%2Ffda-to-regulate-genetic-testing-by-dtc-companies-like-23andme%2F Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing refers to genetic tests that are marketed directly to consumers via television, print advertisements, or the Internet. This form of testing, which is also known as at-home genetic testing, provides access to a person’s genetic information without necessarily involving a doctor or insurance company in the process. [definition from NLM's Genetic Home [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3658922 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 02:25:05 +0100 3658922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3655800&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fhow-much-does-pharma-spend-on-epromtion.html Depending upon what publication reports the data, the TOP 12 pharma companies either spent $287.60 or $168.12 million on "ePromotion" in 2008. The two publications I am talking about are Medical Marketing & Media (MM&M; see "Pharma Report: When Generics Attack") and AdAge (see "Marketing Mix of Leading Pharma Advertisers in 2008"). The "measured media" DTC data reproduced in these publications come from the same source: TNS, which is now part of Kantar Health.I focus on the 2008 data because I don't have 2009 data from AdAge, but I DO have 2009 data from the May 2010 issue of MM&M, which reported promotional spending in several categories: DTC, detailing, ePromotion, meetings, and journal advertising. Some of the data -- it's not clear which data -- come from SDI's Promotional ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3655800 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:17:00 +0100 3655800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3636017&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fhow-much-does-pharma-spend-on-epromtion.html Depending upon what publication reports the data, the TOP 12 pharma companies either spent $287.60 or $168.12 million on "ePromotion" in 2008. The two publications I am talking about are Medical Marketing & Media (MM&M; see "Pharma Report: When Generics Attack") and AdAge (see "Marketing Mix of Leading Pharma Advertisers in 2008"). The "measured media" DTC data reproduced in these publications come from the same source: TNS, which is now part of Kantar Health.I focus on the 2008 data because I don't have 2009 data from AdAge, but I DO have 2009 data from the May 2010 issue of MM&M, which reported promotional spending in several categories: DTC, detailing, ePromotion, meetings, and journal advertising. Some of the data -- it's not clear which data -- come from SDI's Promotional ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3636017 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:17:00 +0100 3636017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3603867&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fnobody-knows-youre-fake-patient-on.html Last night I had the honor of hosting the #socpharm "Tweetchat" session, standing in for Eileen O'Brien (@EileenObrien; Siren Interactive) who is the founder and regular host of that Twitter discussion stream.One issue discussed in last night's session was Sara Baker, a "fake" patient created by MedSeek, a health IT company (see Lori Moore's comment to this post)."Meet Sara Baker," says MedSeek on its website. "ePatients like Sara Baker are the future of eHealth. She uses the Internet to stay connected with friends, check her bank balance and make purchases. She is Web-savvy and expects her healthcare provider to be, too. She has growing expectations of her healthcare providers for 2011 and beyond. And she will be the driving force behind your healthcare organization's ePatient revenue cen... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3603867 Thu, 27 May 2010 12:18:00 +0100 3603867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3573938&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fequation-proves-that-broadcast-dtca.html In an equation that Einstein would be proud of, researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) supported by a grant from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have "proved" that "the expansion in broadcast DTCA may be responsible for about 19 percent of the overall growth in prescription drug expenditures over the [period between 1994 and 2005], with over two-thirds of this impact being driven by an increase in demand as a result of the DTCA expansion and the remainder due to higher prices." The researchers based this on an analysis data supplied by IMS fed into this equation:The equation denotes that the market price (P) is a function of promotion, time until patent expiration and the number of drugs in the therapeutic class. Hey, I'm not going to get into an anal... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3573938 Mon, 17 May 2010 18:30:00 +0100 3573938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569782&cid=t_110755_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E5%2FNhh_F7xpU4c%2FPR_AJHG_ANCESTRY_TESTING.pdf I met Cynthia in a van from the airport, headed to the annual meeting of Family Tree DNA (familytreedna.com), where I was to speak about genetic testing. A beautiful blonde who looked decades younger than her 60 years, she’d led a painful life, with type 1 diabetes since childhood, just like her father, brother, and grandfather. The family, so they thought, was 100% European, mostly Polish. My talk did not go over well. Genetic testing companies and their customers do not like to hear that a geneticist thinks their tests should be regulated, for reasons of both privacy and accuracy. Cynthia, intrigued despite my warnings, sent off a spit sample to 23andme (23andme.com), to learn about her ancestry. She got that, and more – health information, including a “lower than average” risk o... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569782 Mon, 17 May 2010 15:19:42 +0100 3569782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3570062&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FLSXLDw7UnbA%2F If you enjoy discussions of price elasticity, do we have a paper for you. Economic simulations suggest that the expansion in broadcast DTC ads may have been responsible for 19 percent of the overall growth in prescription drug spending from 1994 to 2005, with over two-thirds driven by increased demand due to expanded advertising and the remainder due to higher prices. All this is according to a new paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (purchase required). But while DTC advertising was deemed significant, the authors conclude “it has not been the primary force driving the growth in overall prescription drug expenditures.” [UPDATE: Curiously, the conclusion seems to contradict the bottom-line findings.] The study examined the separate effects of broadcast a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3570062 Mon, 17 May 2010 12:53:54 +0100 3570062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556378&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FfAGgDJ3OVfM%2F If you’re a doctor, the FDA wants your help in identifying ‘bad’ advertisements for prescription drugs. Seriously. The agency is calling it’s new ‘Bad Ad’ program an educational outreach effort and, not surprisingly, it’s being run by DDMAC, the agency’s Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications, which issues all those warning letters and violations. The goal of the program is to “help health care providers recognize misleading prescription drug promotion and provide them with an easy way to report this activity to the agency,” DDMAC director Tom Abrams says in a statement. Usually, the FDA finds ‘bad ads’ by reviewing promotional materials submitted for agency review, fielding complaints (often one company s... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556378 Tue, 11 May 2010 17:26:52 +0100 3556378 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460392&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fnew-omnaris-tv-ad-is-less-freudian.html There are plenty of negative comments on various Internet forums about the first generation of Omnaris TV commercials, which began to air last year. These ads featured military-style "Orkin" men sticking an Omnaris bottle up some unseen woman's nose. "It's so Freudian! Men sticking a phallic symbol up some woman's orifice, saying they have what she NEEDS! Then saluting each other. Gawdawful. Eww." That comment was found here. The new Omnaris TV ad, which I saw last night during 60 Minutes, had less of the sticking the bottle up the nose animation and showed the full face of the woman, which makes the commercial less creepy. But it still lacked some of the messaging that Omnaris sales reps would like to see advertised.You can find sales rep comments about the Omnaris ads on Sepracor's CafeP... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460392 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:29:00 +0100 3460392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433163&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FUA22jhwEpZQ%2F The FDA has proposed a new rule to amend its direct-to-consumer regulations covering broadcast ads and would require info about side effects and contraindications to be presented in a “clear, conspicuous and neutral manner.” The requirements are: The DTC ad must have “language that is readily understandable by consumers;” audio info must be understandable, referring to volume, articulation and pacing; text info must be placed appropriately and on a contrasting background long enough and in lettering that is easily read; and the ad shouldn’t include “distracting representations,” such as statements, text, images, sound or a combination that would detract from communicating the “major statement.” What, exactly, is language that is readily... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433163 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:28:04 +0100 3433163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3404139&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fare-pharma-marketers-drug-pushers.html "Critics may not like branded drugs pushed [my emphasis] directly to consumers but it is clear that it brings people in the doctor's door," wrote Bob Ehrlich, Chairman of DTC Perspectives (see "DTC Supported By Ad Critic"). Note to Bob: Please attach your name to your blog posts. I know this was written by you, but new visitors might not realize that these are your opinions. Also, since I am a bit dyslexic, it will help me remember how to spell your last name!I never expected to see "branded drugs" and "pushed" used in the same sentence by a non-critic like Ehrlich. I suggest that he edit that sentence -- at least put "pushed" in quotes. It elicits an image in the minds of readers that I don't think Ehrlich would approve of.Ehrlich was speaking about direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising cr... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3404139 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:59:00 +0100 3404139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399173&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fis-this-juvederm-xc-dtc-print-ad-fair.html Take a look at the Juvederm XC ad, which I found in this week's New Yorker Magazine, which (coincidentally) includes an article about treatment of wrinkles ("Face It: The Truth About Wrinkles"). The article does not mention Juvederm and hardly has anything at all to say about injection of gels into the skin.Do you think this ad is "fair and balanced"; ie, presents risk information that is "comparable in depth and detail with the claims for effectiveness or safety" as required by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act?FDA issues "notice of violation (NOV)" letters to drug companies when it feels that promotional pieces overly minimizes risk information.Should FDA send a NOV letter to Allergan, which markets Juvederm? "Promotional materials are misleading," said FDA in a recent letter to M... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399173 Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:10:00 +0100 3399173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3383084&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FbE0Kh-Z1OvI%2F And so another working week will soon draw to a close. Although several more hours of deadlines and meetings may lie ahead, the time has come to think dreamy thoughts about what you will do this weekend. We, for instance, will tidy up the Pharmalot corporate campus, take a long walk and happily watch one of our short people in a school performance. While you ponder your own possibilities, here are a few items to help speed things along. Whatever you do, have a great time… Pfizer CEO Kindler Named PhRMA Chairman (press release) Somaxon Wins FDA Approval For Insomnia Drug (Associated Press) Florida Limits Foster Care Reliance On Psychotropics (Tampa Bay Tribune) New Attack On EU Plan For Patient Drug Info (PharmaTimes) photo thx to tipiro on Flickr creative commons (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3383084 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:58:21 +0100 3383084 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3350565&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fmaking-sense-out-pharma-dtc-spending.html ePharma boosters see the latest direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising spending numbers as a positive sign that the drug industry is finally increasing its allotment to the Internet in its DTC marketing budget. Nielsen data indicate that "spending on Internet ads, which has doubled over the last five years, hit $117.4 million, up 31 percent" (see "Drugmakers boost consumer ad spending 2 pct in '09"). Total DTC spending increased 1.9% in 2009 vs. 2008. All these data do NOT include search engine advertising, which I will get to in a minute.I am having some problems with the numbers when I compare them to previous reports. For example, the total ad spend in 2009 was reported to be $4.51 Bn. If that is a 1.9% increase over 2008, then ad spending in 2008 must have been $4.42 Bn. But data reporte... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3350565 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:43:00 +0100 3350565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342890&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fuse-of-patient-testimonials-in-dtc.html This week I was a guest moderator for a graduate class at Johns Hopkins University: “Marketing in a Regulated Environment”. The students are 90% scientists, working at places like NIH, Amgen, Medimmune, etc. They had a few questions they want me to answer, including these:"Recently, companies appear to be using more patient testimonials in their DTC advertising. I am thinking in particular of Pfizer’s Chantix commercials. Could you comment on the forces driving the industry in this direction and whether there are any FDA regulatory hurdles or guidances that must be considered in using patient testimonials? As a follow-up, I have not yet noticed any attempt to integrate patient testimonials in DTC advertising with internet social media (e.g. “You can follow Bob’s success with quit... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342890 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:01:00 +0100 3342890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335568&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fe9WBBHCdL4Y%2F The pharmaceutical industry’s spending on consumer advertising rose 1.9 percent to $4.5 billion from 2008, according to Medical Marketing & Media, citing data from The Nielsen Company. DTC spending on the two biggest categories was largely unchanged - TV rose just 0.6 percent while spending in national magazines dropped 0.6 percent. Network TV spending fell 5.8 percent to $1.6 billion and syndicated TV spending slid 11.8 percent to $254 million, but cable advertising rose 17.1 percent to $861 million. “The spending (on cable) is half of what network is, but it’s growing at a significant rate year-over-year,” Nielsen senior vp Fariba Zamaniyan tells MM&M. One reason: longer ads due to FDA pressure to display more balanced risk and benefit info. Meanwhile, n... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335568 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:14:33 +0100 3335568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244052&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2F92zihr3_OQ4%2Flights-camera-health-new-study-shows.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244052 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:00:00 +0100 3244052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3244053&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FuPLosXRXS7A%2Fjoining-conversation-quick-social-media.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3244053 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:25:00 +0100 3244053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3205112&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fseroquel-xr-print-ad-imitates-art-but.html There's a bit of brouhaha in the Twitterverse about a recent Seroquel print ad that  (see "Liu Bolin and JaeSelle - what's the connection?") that imitates the art of Chinese artist Liu Bolin. "Both feature people camouflaged against their backgrounds so that they almost disappear," said Jim Edwards over at bnet. Some say this is a despicable corporate ripoff of art. Here's the ad:Personally, I don't find anything wrong with advertising images that are inspired by artists and I certainly do not think Liu Bolin has any case against the ad agency (Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare) for copyright infringement.When I first saw this ad, I didn't get the connection because (1) I didn't notice the camouflage effect, and (2) I had never heard of  Liu Bolin, nor seen his art. So I am happy ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3205112 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:39:00 +0100 3205112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197885&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F_5l-Xitz6Rs%2F For those wondering about the reactions that some consumers have to DTC television ads, some decide to search for more info online. So which ads are prompting the most activity and which product sites are visited? NuvaRing and Latisse had the highest percentage of overall product website traffic driven by their DTC TV ads, according to Manhattan Research. NuvaRing, which is a contraceptive made by Merck, jumped five spots from last year to take the top ranking. And as you can see, Allergan’s new eyelash enhancement treatment, Latisse, grabbed the No. 2 spot. Unfortunately, there was no corresponding info to contrast the amount of ad spending with web traffic. In any event, here is the list of the ten brands for which DTC ads drove the most web traffic… 1. NuvaRing 2. Latisse ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197885 Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:19:09 +0100 3197885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3172197&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwhy-is-gsk-making-new-movie-about.html By now you probably have read about GSK's announcement that it will finance a NEW “hard-hitting” documentary about eating (see "Alli Marketer (GSK) To Produce Documentary Film on Eating"). [OK, it's not about obesity per se, but I expect to see a lot of fat, even obese people featured in the movie.]An Academy Award-winning director will be named on Jan. 25 at the Sundance Film Festival. I've asked to be invited to that Sundance announcement (see "GSK: Please Invite Me to the Sundance Panel & Screening of Your New Alli Inspired Documentary Film"). I am still waiting for GSK to make an offer.In case you don't know, GSK markets Alli, the over-the-counter (OTC) weight-loss drug with the "Oops, I pooped my pants" side effect (see "Alli Newspeak: Oily Spotting is 'Treatment Effect'"). Do... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3172197 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:58:00 +0100 3172197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167442&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fcreative-pharma-packaging-design-where.html Guy Mastrion (@gmastrion) over at Pixels & Pills Blog took offense when a colleague "bemoaned the conservative design of most Pharma packaging" and said it was "inevitable since Pharma was a 'Creative Ghetto.'" [See "Breaking Out of the Creative Ghetto."]Now, you know, whenever someone mentions creativity and pharma or pharma marketing in the same sentence, I get out my blogging pistol.When ads like those for Rozerem win awards for creativity but do not help ROI, I am especially annoyed (see "Rozerem Ads Dis Lincoln, Show Beaver", "MM&M Award Winners Announced at Gala NY Event!", and "Another Award for Rozerem! This one...not so good.").But creativity in package design? Guy throws out a challenge to come up with something better than the traditional pharmacy pill bottle shown in it... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167442 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:57:00 +0100 3167442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149251&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fhackers-hitech-and-hipaa-in-dtc.html At our practice we run a pretty tight ship when it comes to security of patient records. Why do we do this? Well there are 2 big reasons.1. It's the right thing to do.2. The law will put you in the hurt locker if you don'tI want to talk about reason 2 a little bit. Why? With all of this protection of health information and DTC genomics companies going bankrupt, I begin to really wonder who a covered entity is. Daniel Vorhaus over at Genomics Law Review has a pretty good break down of it, but I think there may be some nuances not covered. As well as a notable lack of coverage of HITECH policies in the ARRA.Wha? Yes the recovery act has stuff on Health care privacy in it. In HIPAA DTC Genomics may not be covered, but I think in HITECH they are.Why have I been reading this stuff? Because it's... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149251 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:45:00 +0100 3149251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146208&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fmarketings-right-message-to-right.html How many times have you heard the phrase "Deliver the RIGHT message to the RIGHT physician/patient/whatever at the RIGHT time!"? Too many times, I'm guessing.Let me call it the "RMRPRT" strategy.Usually, to implement the RMRPRT strategy you need good segmentation based on the interests of the person who you intend to send the message to. For physicians, you might segment them based on therapeutic specialty, how often they write scripts, which products they often prescribe, etc. Segmentation could be based on one or all of these things. Then you have to compose multiple messages appropriate for these segments.It seems like a good marketing strategy, but is it really?First, where's the data that supports the benefit of deploying the RMRPRT strategy? If you have it, please let me see it. What... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146208 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:19:00 +0100 3146208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3071461&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fwill-pharma-spend-more-on-emarketing.html TNS Media Intelligence reports that U.S. Advertising Expenditures Declined 14.7 Percent in First Nine Months of 2009 compared to 2008. Bucking that trend was the Pharmaceuticals sector, which increased ad spending by 0.6 percent (from $3,462.7 million to $3,483.6 million) in that period.If pharma DTC spending in the final quarter of 2009 continues at the average rate during the first three quarters, the total spend in 2009 will be about $4.7 billion, a 7.1% increase over 2008 (see chart below).NOTE: TNS MI looks only at measured media, including: Network TV; Spot TV (122 DMAs); Cable TV (71 networks); Syndication TV; Hispanic Network TV (4 networks); Consumer Magazines (231 publications); Sunday Magazines (7 publications); Local Magazines (22 publications); Hispanic Magazines (14 publicati... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3071461 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:35:00 +0100 3071461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067310&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F-x7gV8k38Yw%2F Direct-to-consumer spending was declining for the last few quarters, but came bounding back in the recently ended third quarter - rising 15 percent to $1.16 billion, according to DTC Perspectives, a consulting firm, which cited data from TNS Media Intelligence. The increase apparently marks the first quarterly gain in DTC spending in nearly two years and, interestingly, contrasts significantly with the spending trend earlier this year, when DTC advertising slumped 6.4 percent between January and June, compared with the same period a year ago. Not surprisingly, spending on the Internet rose the most, the firm reports, more than tripling between January and September to $221 million (display ads only). And more ads were placed in newspapers, which showed a 25 percent gain to $104 million d... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067310 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:09 +0100 3067310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056877&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fpharmacos-spend-more-on-dtc-advertising.html A new report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), "Promotional Spending for Prescription Drugs" (find it here), counterintuitively suggests that "drugs with little competition are likely to be marketed to consumers far more aggressively than drugs with a lot of competition" (NY Times). According to the report:"Pharmaceutical manufacturers tend to spend more, on average, on DTC advertising for drugs that have few or no direct competitors (meaning there are few other drugs that treat the same condition using the same mechanism) than on products with numerous alternatives. Excluding some classes of drugs with the highest-selling and most advertised drugs -- where a drug’s potential market size might overwhelm other factors in setting a marketing plan -- the data analyzed by CBO show ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056877 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:57:00 +0100 3056877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056885&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FLdYhC8jK_Cg%2F A new report from the Congressional Budget Office examines promotional spending by drugmakers, including an analysis of direct-to-consumer advertising in recent years. For those in the know, there are probably few surprises. Nonetheless, the summary is interesting and worth noting. Here are some highlights… - In 2008, spending on DTC ads totaled $4.7 billion, nearly one-fourth of industry spending for all promotional activities. Promotional spending, which includes detailing, ad journals, meetings and DTC ads, was $20.5 billion last year, or 10.8 percent of US sales last year. The CBO, which says spending was typically between 10 percent and 12 percent since the early 1990’s, cited sales data reported by PhRMA, which presumably relies on annual reports. DTC advertising has decl... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056885 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:57:10 +0100 3056885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023411&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fx7OkCwU8iGw%2F The price Medicaid paid for the bloodthinner rose 12 percent “immediately” after direct-to-consumer ads began in 2001, and those higher costs added $207 million to Medicaid spending in 27 states during the next four years, even as prescriptions rose at a constant rate, according to a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Pharmacy data from Medicaid programs in 27 states revealed that Plavix sales rose steadily since it was launched and the trend remained constant between 1999 and 2005. But the cost to Medicaid rose by $207 million after ads started running in 2002. And guess what? The price of Plavix was hiked price 12 percent, or 40 cents a pill, when a $350 million ad campaign began. “Payers and policy makers should be very concerned about the potential for drug advertising ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023411 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:25:01 +0100 3023411 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023408&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fdid-state-medicaid-programs-finance.html When the November 15, 2009, AARP Rx Watchdog Report revealed that manufacturer prices for widely used brand name drugs have climbed dramatically over the last year, despite a negative general inflation rate, many people -- including several Congressmen -- suspected “price gouging” in anticipation of future cost containment under new healthcare legislation.But there may be another type of drug "price gouging" going on -- deliberately raising drug prices to cover the cost of Direct-to-Consumer advertising (DTCA)!A new study published in today's issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine (“Costs and Consequences of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising for Clopidogrel in Medicaid”; Arch Intern Med. 2009;169[21]:1969-1974) offers evidence that drug price increases are engineered to cover the ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023408 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0100 3023408 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977569&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FAJal4KDWV30%2F Judging by a recent survey, that may seem to be the case. Direct-to-consumer ads are mentioned mostly by docs to increase patient acceptance for a medicine that’s already been chosen. But unaided - or spontaneous - mention by patients or actual patient requests for a specific med is a rare phenomenon, according to the survey by Verilogue. The firm tracked brand requests coupled with a reference to specific ad campaigns across 12,500 doctor-patient conversations from 2008 and covered 20 disease states and 46 different branded prescription drugs. Overall, DTC ‘pull-through’ in conversations in a doc’s office is low - just 3 percent - and specific patient requests for advertised med are even lower - .002 percent. Significantly, the most frequently pulled-through brand... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977569 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:20:15 +0100 2977569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963331&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FMKV_4dafnTc%2F Two commercials for Flomax topped the ranking of the most recalled drug and vaccine ads during the 2008-09 TV season, according to a Nielsen analysis. The Boehringer-Ingelheim drug, which treats male urinary symptoms due to BPH, ran two ads that were recalled at a rate that was 42 percent greater than the average ad based on all newly-launched prescription drug ads. The latest installments of the Flomax DTC campaign feature men at a baseball game and men playing on a golf course. Lilly’s Cialis and Merck’s Gardasil tied for second on the list with 32 percent greater recall than the average drug ad launched last season. The Cialis ad was an extension of its “What are you waiting for?” campaign and featured outdoor tubs filled with various couples (you know the imagery by now... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963331 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:53:45 +0100 2963331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111606&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fgood-enough-science-apparently-so-at_6680.html "A total of 61 individuals involved in five norovirus outbreaks in Denmark were genotyped at nucleotides 428 and 571 of the FUT2 gene, determining secretor status, i.e., the presence of ABH antigens in secretions and on mucosa. A strong correlation (P 0.003) was found between the secretor phenotype and symptomatic disease, extending previous knowledge and confirming that nonsense mutations in the FUT2 gene provide protection against symptomatic norovirus (GGII.4) infections." This from a report at 23andSerge's "Norovirus Resistance" report.I don't know what I would do with a Norovirus resistance report........Go on more cruises? Work in a daycare? Have more kids?I bring this up because I begin to wonder what level of science is good science.Is highlighting every article as useful as highli... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111606 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:34:00 +0100 3111606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111611&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ffollow-up-to-yesterday-wtf-harvard-navi_5221.html So I was thinking about all of this hullabaloo and how Beth Israel Deaconess flipped the script by using non-clinically validated, non medical tests to teach residents about medical genetics..... Yes, that is pretty freaking preposterous in and of itself, but I have a deeper concern..... "Beth Israel has launched the Personalized Genomics and Next Generation Sequencing Training Program, which includes a series of lectures, discussions, and presentations, aimed at promoting a better understanding of the personalized genomics field and next-generation sequencing technologies." Ok, so my question is. Who will be giving the lectures? Let me put this another way..... "NewsFlash" (This is not true, however it is just as preposterous and written to illustrate a point) Harvard Medical School has ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111611 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:15:00 +0100 3111611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111614&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Ffew-months-late-to-party_4237.html In conclusion, this backlash will detract more from the movement than the hype added to it. The Sherpa Says: Why continue to support something that in the long run will damage credibility with community physicians and the public? Why? (Source: Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You) Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111614 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:46:00 +0100 3111614 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855834&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Freminder-dtc-ads-ok-in-canada-not-in-us.html According to Marketing News, Pfizer Canada just launched a 15-second TV ad that promotes Viagra as "an antidote for couples that choose leisurely pastimes over physical intimacy... the spot from Taxi Canada shows a husband confessing that redecorating was ruining their lives: Things like seasonal themes, colour palettes and Feng Shui were getting in the way. 'So I tried Viagra, and my redecorating practically disappeared,' he says" (see "Pfizer Canada Launches Latest 'Confession' Ad"). Click here to see the video, then come back to find out why I am confused as to how this ad is allowed in Canada, but "outlawed" in the US.Pfizer's "redecorating-vs-sex" Viagra ad is what the FDA and drug industry call a "reminder ad." According to the FDA, "Reminder advertisements are identified as an exemp... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855834 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:16:00 +0100 2855834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2832400&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Finternet-surpasses-newspapers-in.html It was the best of times [for the Internet], it was the worst of times [for newspapers].For the first time that I can remember, the pharmaceutical industry is spending more of its DTC advertising budget on Internet display ads (excluding search) than on newspapers (see chart below; source is TNS Media Intelligence). [We're only talking about Q1 data, 2009 v. 2008.]Comparing Q1 2009 to Q1 2008, spending on Internet ads increased by 154% (from $21.0 million in Q1 2008 to $53.4 million in Q1 2009). No wonder there are so many new interactive agencies knocking on pharma's doors these days!  That's a dollar increase of $32.3 million. Meanwhile, spending on TV decreased by almost the same amount; ie, $31.4 million.You could say that pharma took money out of TV to put into the Internet. But ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2832400 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:01:00 +0100 2832400 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793422&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fare-organic-search-results-next-on-fdas.html In April, the FDA sent warning letters to several pharmaceutical companies citing paid search engine ads that it claimed violated FDA regulations (see "FDA's Actions Speak Louder than Its Words: On the Internet It's the Medium as Well as the Message!"). But what about organic -- ie, unpaid, "non-sponsored," natural -- search engine listings such as the following for Viagra (click on image for an enlarged view)? Are they next on FDA's chopping block?That was a question posed by Julie Batten, e-marketing manager at Klick Communications (see "Search Marketing in the Pharma Industry")."To date, organic listings haven't been considered promotional, and rightly so," said Batten.Batten notes that pharma companies can determine the wording of organic listings by carefully crafting "meta" data (ie,... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793422 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:16:00 +0100 2793422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2752079&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fiom-not-webcast-today-why-not.html The IOM conference "Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: A Cross-Academies Workshop" will not be webcast today? I wonder why not? Was it supposed to be and then submarined after Muin Khoury quoted an email I wrote him while he was presenting?Why is there no webcast for this important conference today?Maybe I am just a conspiracy theorist.But I would like IOM and the National Academies to explain why the cover one day but not the second.The second day by the way has some great topicsFrom the AgendaSession 5: The Impact of DTC Genetic Tests on the Medical System"If the medical system is no longer required to mediate genetic testing, how will the system cope with losing oversight (and reimbursement) of these services while retaining the full responsibility of caring for patients the services a... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2752079 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:43:00 +0100 2752079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2752087&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FkDNsa2XdrJs%2F Testing for one’s genetic risk has become increasingly popular in recent years with the mapping of the human genome. Now, you have the opportunity to know if you carry the BRCA genes, or know your risk for Alzheimer’s, other cancers, heart diseases and other diseases and traits, and even one’s genetic ancestry, based on the presence of certain DNA segments in your genome. Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) DNA testing, also known as personal genome services, allows a person to get his genetic profile just simply by swabbing one’s cheeks or spitting into a test tube and sending the sample back to the genetic testing company. In a few weeks you have your results back in print and at a password-controlled website. Pretty nifty, right? Actor Ernie Hudson swabs cheek for African Ancestry DNA ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2752087 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:59:12 +0100 2752087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2748078&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fnational-academies-and-iom.html Today and Sept. 1 the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine will hold a symposium to explore the health, policy, and ethical implications of direct-to-consumer genetic testingAUDIO WEBCAST: Morning sessions on Aug. 31 -- covering the history and likely evolution of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, as well as the regulatory framework -- will be available via live audio webcast at http://national-academies.org.Don't miss this. I am listening to Muin Khoury right now.BTW, the best question was just asked. "Do you think you are practicing medicine and if no, explain why not?"That is the crux of this whole DTC field. I have always thought, they are.......The Sherpa Says: I will cover this and the NIH conference over the week. (Source: Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2748078 Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:21:00 +0100 2748078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727409&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fpharma-freedom-of-speech-and-ad.html "Freedom of Speech" is a "right" that many commercial entities claim when defending advertising practices. The pharmaceutical industry, for example, has cited their first amendment rights when defending direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) from Congressional foes who wish to limit or ban DTCA altogether.However, it is common practice for individual pharmaceutical companies to limit the first amendment rights of agencies that create DTC and other ads for them. They do this by requiring agencies to sign non-disclosure and work-for-hire agreements before they are hired as an agency of record. Practically all corporations do this, not just drug companies. Corporations are not democracies except when it suits them.Click on image to enlarge and read.Recently, the issue of limiting the rights of... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727409 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:20:00 +0100 2727409 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719896&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fwhere-from-here.html This is the question I am asked so often.1. We have the steady progress towards cheap genomes. 2. We have the biggest supporter of personalized medicine running the NIH 3. We have "some" clinical awareness of personalized medicine 4. We have the government aware of the shenanigans of some unscrupulous DTC advertising, etc 5. We have several milemarkers under our belts with genome science..... We are moving in the "right" direction, but where do we go from here There are several areas we need to investigate. I would like to sum a few of them, both basic science and clinical. Basic Science first. 1. We need to understand precisely how gene regulation occurs in the face of certain common environmental exposures. Trans Fat, Tobacco Smoke, Alcohol, Stress. Is it RNA? Is it Methylation? What pr... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719896 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:26:00 +0100 2719896 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2674492&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F08%2Fnew-york-times-dtc-and-me.html Several members of Congress are seeking restrictions on Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical advertising (see "Just Say No to Drug Ads, Say Some Lawmakers").Representative Henry Waxman (Democrat) wants to give FDA the power to "bar consumer advertisements for newly approved drugs until they have proved safe in real-world use," according to the New York Times. "Another Democrat, James P. Moran of Virginia is sponsoring a House bill that would ban ads for prescription sexual aids like Viagra and Levitra from prime-time television, on decency grounds."In the past, even some prominent Republications expressed strong opinions against DTC ads (see, for example, "Deconstructing Frist on DTC").The New York Times is joining in the "debate" over DTC advertising. In the past week, I have been quot... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2674492 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:45:00 +0100 2674492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2649196&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fpharmacogenetic-indication-for.html That's one way to market the newest medication to prevent stroke, heart attack or stent thrombosis. Wha? Yes, I mean, Prasugrel otherwise known as Effient is FDA approved for use in these patients. But one thing I was thinking is that, since the FDA put on the insert of Plavix that 2C19 testing may be useful to identify people who will not respond to Plavix (generic Clopidogrel)Perhaps, the marketing geniuses over at Eli Lilly could use this as an FDA suggestion that these 2C19 people may be better off with Prasugrel. Yes, it would be one of the most brilliant ways to market pharmacogenomics. I can only imagine the DTC genomics companies salivating over this "We offer the 2C19, test. Act now, save your life." Technically, It actually could. Yes, all the stops would be pulled out and it co... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2649196 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:01:00 +0100 2649196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2606154&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fpathway-genomics-is-lab-not-algorithm.html Today an article came out in BioIT world about Pathway Genomics. (Sounds Eerily like Amway)With a tagline like, "Your Future, Only Better" I thought that maybe they were like Vanilla Sky or some Total Recall like service. I could only guess how in the world they could offer a better future through a SNP scan.....Yes another DTC Genomics/SNPscan Company in the game. Hopefully they will accept regulations and not try to manipulate the laws. I hope that they act responsibly with the data and samples. I hope that they will be transparent and honest.FROM Bio-IT"In common with other consumer genomics firms, Becker oversees an editorial team to review criteria from the latest peer-reviewed genome association studies. That team includes Victoria Magnuson, who trained with Francis Collins and John ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2606154 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:16:00 +0100 2606154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2580468&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FIKOVlmQSiVw%2Fgastric-band-maker-reaches-out-with.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2580468 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:56:00 +0100 2580468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2571202&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fupdate-on-pharma-financial-crisis.html "The financial crisis currently spreading around the world has exerted negative impacts on both the pharmaceutical and biotech industries," according to a Life Science leader article (see "The Impact Of The Financial Crisis On The Pharma And Biotech Industries"). "A large number of R&D programs have been either cut or put on the shelf."The chart below summarizes the number of pharmaceutical and biotech companies that announced restructuring plans between September 2008 and April 2009 (click on chart to for an enlarged view):With regard to advertising, respondents to the Pharma Marketing News "Future of DTC Advertising" survey (here) are still pessimistic about 2009 (see chart below). While 52% of respondents who took the survey in 2008 predicted a decrease in spending, 62% who took the... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2571202 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:31:00 +0100 2571202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561483&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F07%2Fno-gene-is-island.html This is a saying I have been using for about 4 years now.When someone asked about testing for HFE and why we don't do it as the first screening step anymore..... They often looked at me confused.....I then bring up the case of sickle cell disease.Most doctors have seen a sickle cell patient in the hospital.......They may have even seen a family in the hospital, brother and sister, Son and Mother......but what most don't know is that the majority of sicklers never go into the hospital..... That's when I ask, what is the mutation that the son and mother have? The answer Sickle-cell anemia is caused by a point mutation in the β-globin chain of hemoglobin, causing the amino acid glutamic acid to be replaced with the hydrophobic amino acid valine at the sixth position. Now what about the patie... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561483 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:08:00 +0100 2561483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513164&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fdo-pharma-marketers-encourage-consumers.html Fellow blogger Rich Meyer over at World of DTC Marketing Blog has some good advice for pharmaceutical marketers based upon a survey of physicians (see "Physicians: We're concerned that too many people are self diagnosing")."Doctors," said Rich, "were annoyed at drug company sites that offer patients a survey to determine if they need the medication. 'My patients think that answering a few questions is the final word and they then want the medication even though more tests are often needed.'"Rich suggested, among other things, "If 10 people take a health survey on your product website and more than 50% get a recommendation to talk to their doctor about the medication than your survey is probably too general and needs to redone."I've pointed out this problem in previous posts (see, for examp... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513164 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:04:00 +0100 2513164 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513170&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fshould-tax-deduction-for-dtc.html Rahm Emanuel, president Obama's Chief of Staff, warned advertising industry leaders some time ago that the business-tax deduction for DTC (direct-to-consumer) spending could be taken away in 2009 tax legislation (see "Obama, Democrat Win Could Cause Ad Industry 'Pain'").Yesterday, Bloomberg.com quoted House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel as saying "one thing that's not off the table is you can pick up $37 billion knocking out the deduction for advertising" for prescription drugs (see "House Considering $37 Billion Drug Tax, Rangel Says"). He was suggesting this as one way to help pay for the pay for a health-care overhaul.Where did Rangel come up with that $36 billion number? The US drug industry spends about $4.7 billion per year on DTC advertising. How can eliminating t... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513170 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:53:00 +0100 2513170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2513172&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fomg-worst-print-ad-ever-plus-is-that.html I just found this whole page ad for Trilipix in the June 22, 2009 issue of Newsweek magazine. It's got to be the worst DTC print ad I've ever seen! Here. Look at it! Don't you agree?(Click image for an enlarged view.)Abbott surely has gone overboard to make sure to balance benefit information with risk information.I don't think the FDA had this in mind when it suggested in recent guidance that "As a general matter, risk and benefit information should be comparably noticeable or conspicuous in promotional pieces, and audiences should be able to read both risk and benefit information with similar ease" (see "Communicating Risk in Online Drug Ads: Reading the Tea Leaves in Recent FDA Draft Guidance").What we have here (in the Trilipix ad) is a failure to communicate anything at all! It's not ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2513172 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:21:00 +0100 2513172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2469961&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fweight-loss-drug-alli-on-life-support.html A new ad agency -- TBWA -- won GSK's weight loss alli account last week according to a recent Advertising Age article (“Side Effects of TBWA Win Include Unpleasant Alli Account”). If its efforts to save alli via a new advertising campaign fails, alli could be on “life support within 12 months,” says a marketing executive quoted in the article.But alli is already on life support! It's more likely to be dead in a couple of months.The first sign of trouble was when the alli blog (alliconnect) went silent back in September, 2008 (see "Has the alliconnect Blog Been Abandoned?"). Just prior to that Steve Burton -- who is credited with launching alliconnect -- was replaced by Karen Scollick as Vice President for US Weight Control at GSK (see "New Image for alliconnect Blog: Skinny Women")... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2469961 Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:47:00 +0100 2469961 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2453188&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fdtc-media-machine-is-struggling.html I asked Dale Taylor, the President and CEO of AbelsonTaylor, the "world’s largest independent medical advertising agency," the following question via Med Ad News's Ask the Expert page:“The majority of respondents to my ‘Future of DTC Advertising’ survey expect DTC ad spending to decrease in 2009 compared to 2008, which saw an 18% decrease compared to 2007. What do you think and why? What brands or categories do you think will show an increase in DTC spend in 2009?"In his response, Dale said:"Somewhere we got the idea that aggregating the opinions of people who don’t know what the future holds can provide a clear picture of what the future holds... I don’t really know what difference it makes anyway except, maybe to Rupert Murdock."Well, the publisher of Med Ad News is no Rupert... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2453188 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:28:00 +0100 2453188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442759&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Farnold-friede-blasts-fdas-right-to.html Arnold Friede, Counsel to the law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP, was my guest in yesterday's live Pharma Marketing Talk Show/podcast (see "Towards a Rational FDA Policy Addressing the Internet and Social Media"). At the end of that interview, Friede mentioned FDA guidance on presenting risk information in drug promotion that had just been released (see "FDA Rules are NOT Media Agnostic").Today, Friede sent me this note regarding that guidance:"It is true that FDA in the Draft Guidance officially adopts the 'reasonable man' standard for interpreting advertising and promotional claims. That is nice and long overdue. And the agency also says that in interpreting advertising it attends to the First Amendment. Likewise nice and long overdue."At the same time, of course, FDA continues to a... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442759 Wed, 27 May 2009 11:55:00 +0100 2442759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442761&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Ffda-rules-are-not-media-agnostic.html FDA has just released a new draft guidance document: "Presenting Risk Information in Prescription Drug and Medical Device Promotion" (find the pdf file here).I haven't read the guidance yet, but according to a Reuters report, the guidance has some specific to TV ads:"Television ads for drugs and medical devices should avoid distracting images and music that can reduce viewers' comprehension of potential side effects, U.S. regulators advised in guidelines proposed on Tuesday."Advertisements also should use similar type styles and voice-overs when conveying benefits and risks, the Food and Drug Administration said."It seems to me that contrary to public statements by FDA officials and bloggers (eg, "FDA to Online Marketers: Same Rules Apply"), the same rules do NOT apply to all media.Obvious... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442761 Tue, 26 May 2009 20:17:00 +0100 2442761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406169&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fall-surveys-point-to-further-decrease.html In this study, the percentage of marketers saying they will decrease DTC spending rose precipitously -- from 28% in 2008 to 58% in 2009 (about 43% believe the decrease will be greater than 5%). That 58% is pretty close to the 55% in the PMN survey who also believe spending will decrease. Also, 25% of the respondents to the Cegedim Dendrite survey believe spending will increase compared to 24% in the PMN survey. The other numbers in these two surveys are pretty similar as well. It's almost as it Cegedim Dendrite copied the results of the PMN survey published in January!BTW, regardless of what the experts say, I'm sticking to my prediction of an 11% decrease in DTC spending this year compared to last year. (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406169 Thu, 14 May 2009 09:53:00 +0100 2406169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406173&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fonline-advertising-growth-slows-in-2008.html "US Advertising Continues to Imitate a Stone," says eMarketer. It was reporting on TNS data for measured media ad spending, which showed an overage decline of 9.2% for the fourth quarter of 2008 vs. the same quarter of 2007. BUT... "One bright spot in the TNS report was Internet advertising, which grew by 4.6% in 2008, but even that news was dimmed: That was the weakest full-year growth for online advertising since the dot-com bust of 2002."Click for an enlarged view.Meanwhile, search ad revenue, the bellwether of online advertising, decreased 11.5% in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. And if not for Google, every quarter of 2008 would also have shown Q over Q decreases for this sector (see chart below).“One takeaway from Google’s strength relative to th... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406173 Mon, 11 May 2009 12:45:00 +0100 2406173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399214&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fif-dtc-ads-were-allowed-in-picadilly.html The next big thing, according to some of my Twitter pals, is interactive billboard ads such as this one for McDonald's:You get the idea...stand across the circle (ie, circus) and strike up an appropriate pose making sure your head is correctly aligned with the action in the ad. Voila! you've got a nice souvenir shot to send home! Uh, I mean post on your FaceBook page.Now imagine if the UK allowed direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of Rx drugs and Pfizer created the first interactive billboard ad for Viagra! Here's my vision of how it might look with someone posing in front -- I can't show you the animated version. Just imagine the Viagra pill growing larger and larger until it reaches the size shown.I added a little more innovation by including a celebrity endorsement of a sort in an adj... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399214 Thu, 07 May 2009 16:52:00 +0100 2399214 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390159&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fin-my-inbox.html I think maybe the government of Germany has been receiving the same emails as myself. You see, in case you missed it, Germany is banning Direct To Consumer testing of DNA. This is something that I have been covering for almost 2 years now.....not the Germany thing but the whole regulation of what could be construed to be the practice of medicine. Why do I think Angie Merkel has been getting the same emails as me? Well, take a look at my inbox-"There is a new comment on the post "How to Fake a DNA Test".http://www.eyeondna.com/2008/04/13/how-to-fake-a-dna-test/Author: Scooter Jones Comment:If someone wants to fake a DNA test would it work if he put someone elses saliva, sperm or blood in his mouth prior to being tested.?"A while back I said that people could potentially "fake" a DNA test, p... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390159 Tue, 05 May 2009 12:16:00 +0100 2390159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349712&cid=t_110755_147_f&fid=38117&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engageinhealth.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fdtc_national_wrapup.html The second and last days of the DTC National Conference in D.C. went by in a blur with several great presentations and many interesting people to meet. I tweeted nonstop, which you can review @emilydownward. Thursday included interesting presentations from Chris Schroeder at HealthCentral, John Gerzema, and a celebrity panel that included Jerry "the Beaver" Mathers, Deborah "Debbie" Gibson and former NFL champion Karl Nelson. Schroeder talked about how people are looking for health information in more specific terms, for example, they're not looking for "jogging" but "jogging on trampoline vs street." And data from HealthCentral shows that people who are finding content by these long-tail searches are 3-5 times more likely to interact with the advertisements on those pages. Referring to... The Health Engagement Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349712 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:59:14 +0100 2349712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349718&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fcialis-ads-make-splash-but-sales-are.html Although Lilly's profits rose 23% primarily due to a 27% decrease in sales costs (see "Eli Lilly Profit Rises 23%"), "Q1 sales of Cialis, Cymbalta, Zyprexa, Humalog, Gemzar all DOWN from Q4 to Q1," reported CNBC Pharmaceuticals Reporter Mike Huckman on Twitter (see @mhukman).Meanwhile, Lilly continues to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on DTC (direct-to-consumer) advertising for Cialis, its erectile dysfunction (ED) drug.According to IndyStar.com, "Cialis was the seventh-most-advertised drug in the country in 2007, with $152 million spent."Although sales of Cialis are down recently -- possibly reflecting less discretionary income spending on life-style drugs during this recession -- Cialis is catching up to Viagra. Worldwide sales of Cialis last year increased by 26 percent, to $1.4 ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349718 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:59:00 +0100 2349718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349647&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fuk-teens-in-courtgsk-cervarix-vaccine.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349647 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:48:00 +0100 2349647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341857&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fhealth-literacy-worse-where-there-is.html One of the issues raised at the recent DTC National conference in Washington, DC was the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising on health literacy.Mark Senak -- blogger at EyeOnFDA, who participated in a panel discussion -- raised the ante on DTC's educational merit and suggested that we "Look abroad (where there is no DTC), and measure the health literacy to see the potential impact" (see these tweets).I did some research and found a report that compared health literacy in the US (where there IS DTC) and in Canada (where there is no DTC advertising). The report, entitled "Health Literacy in Canada," cited research that used the same point system as the US to measure health literacy in Canada and compared it's results to the US data:"Canadian men outperform their American counterpa... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341857 Sat, 18 Apr 2009 13:04:00 +0100 2341857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341807&cid=t_110755_147_f&fid=38117&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.engageinhealth.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fdtc_national_day_one.html The first half-day at the DTC National Conference was very interesting with some great speakers. It started off with some live-polling of the audience, and the majority there agreed that we will likely see more warning and untitled letters from the FDA. Steve Case spoke about his new passion for health and the digital space, and plugging his involvement with Revolution Health, which is now part of Everyday Health. One interesting nugget from his speech was his comparison of the digital space to Wayne Gretzky. He said Gretzky was such a great hockey player because he didn't focus on where the puck is, but where it was going, and that we should do the same in digital. (I'm so glad that we have Steve Rubel at Edelman to help us figure out where it's all going!) A question from the audience a... The Health Engagement Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341807 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 02:37:57 +0100 2341807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341861&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Fbotox-medicines-answer-to-duct-tape.html “We see it as a molecule that keeps on giving. As we understand it more, it gives us new ideas of how to use it,” says Dr. Mitchell F. Brin, a neurologist who is the chief scientific officer for Botox at Allergan, the drug’s maker (see NYT: "So Botox Isn’t Just Skin Deep")."In the hunt to discover the next blockbuster medical use for Botox, doctors have injected it experimentally into muscles and glands all over the body, making it medicine’s answer to duct tape," says the New York Times. "According to recent medical journals, physicians have used it to treat chewing problems, swallowing problems, pelvic muscle spasms, drooling, hair loss, anal fissures and pain from missing limbs."Of course, these are all off-label uses of Botox, meaning that the FDA has not approved the marketi... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341861 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:16:00 +0100 2341861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2301646&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F04%2Foveractive-bladder-pharmacia.html I just received a link to an old Powerpoint (PPT) presentation that was featured at an October, 2002, Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group (PMRG) conference. The presentation was entitled "Positioning Detrol (Creating a Disease)" and the presenter was Neil Wolf who, at the time, was Group Vice President at Pharmacia, the drug company purchased by Pfizer. As you may know, Pfizer is preparing Toviaz, a follow-on drug to Detrol, for marketing (see "Detrol v. Toviaz: Marketing Replaces Innovation at Pfizer!").The presentation outlines the strategies used to convert a "niche product into a Mass Marketing Opportunity." I downloaded it here after receiving an anonymous comment to my Toviaz post.I was gratified to get my hands on this PPT because I remembered being present at the 2002 meeting a... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2301646 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:49:00 +0100 2301646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2301655&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fdid-i-miss-fair-balance-in-last-nights.html Last night at about 6:47 PM Eastern US time during the ABC Evening News, I saw for the first time a short ad -- maybe a 30-second spot -- for Omnaris, which is Sepracor's new nasal spray for seasonal allergies. I may be mistaken, but I don't recall hearing about any side effect information during this commercial. At least NOT in the voice over. I'm usually pretty alert to what's being said in TV drug ads, so I find it hard to believe I missed it.I also find it hard to believe that a company like Sepracor, which has a lot of experience with DTC advertising (it spent over $243 million on DTC advertising for Lunesta in 2007 -- even allowing for Bob Erhlich's 40% discount from reported ad spend; see here) could neglect to include fair balance information.Therefore, if anyone out there also saw... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2301655 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:59:00 +0100 2301655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2279765&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fbotox-v-reloxin-market-share-battle-may.html If you thought the DTC advertising sleep aid (Lunesta v. AmbienCR v. Rozerem) advertising war was excessive, wait until Reloxin is approved for marketing by the FDA, which may happen during the second half of this year according to Bloomberg.com (see "Medicis's Reloxin May Vie With Botox in U.S. to Clear Wrinkles").“The results of the study [published in the March/April issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery] show that it’s as good as Botox," Ronald Moy, the lead author of the study and a professor in the medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles, in a March 13 telephone interview. "The side effects are the same as Botox."So...how's Medicis going to capture 25 percent to 30 percent of market share from Botox as one analyst claims it will? And how will Allergan, w... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2279765 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:56:00 +0100 2279765 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260907&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fdtc-ad-spending-decreased-18-in-2008.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260907 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:17:00 +0100 2260907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260908&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fwho-are-anti-dtc-bloggers-this-blogger.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260908 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:39:00 +0100 2260908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260086&cid=t_110755_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Feurope-plans-on-regulating-dtcus-is.html Interestingly in a news article in the European Journal of Human Genetics, it seems to me that even the people arguing against regulations are doing so in a very "Not so convincing way"Those that are arguing for regulations are making a clear case. My guess is that they have been the ones arguing for about 30 years......so they have a little experience with ELSI issues in genetics....The end of the news article makes it clear that at minimum, there will be a place for genetics professionals in the governmental regulatory organizations to develop such guidance. This seems to me to be a reasonable approach.I have argued in the past that these companies should be getting regulated. And they should. In fact, there are already laws on the books to provide such regulations. You can call them old... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260086 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:25:00 +0100 2260086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240976&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fget-dtc-check-up.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240976 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:47:00 +0100 2240976 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240977&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Feconomy-down-insomnia-depression-up.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240977 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:08:00 +0100 2240977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240978&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fmr-mucus-turns-bigger-and-badder.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240978 Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:21:00 +0100 2240978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2227211&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fviagra-print-ad-art-imitates-life-as-it.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2227211 Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:12:00 +0100 2227211 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222573&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fdrug-fact-box-it-all-depends-on-what.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222573 Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:22:00 +0100 2222573 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216608&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Favodart-print-ad-that-fda-missed.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216608 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:08:00 +0100 2216608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2216611&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Ffda-warns-gsk-about-enlarged-advodart.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2216611 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:19:00 +0100 2216611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190613&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fwheres-da-wabbit-abe-and-beaver-too.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190613 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:51:00 +0100 2190613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2187742&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fmy-2009-dtc-ad-spending-prediction-is.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2187742 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:51:00 +0100 2187742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182582&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fare-fda-penalties-no-longer-slap-on.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182582 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:01:00 +0100 2182582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2182583&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fbmss-oh-yes-i-can-ad-is-reminescent-of.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2182583 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:01:00 +0100 2182583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147571&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fwhich-way-will-dtc-wind-blow.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147571 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:06:00 +0100 2147571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2128928&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Flets-focus-on-effectiveness-not-dollars.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2128928 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:01:00 +0100 2128928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2110639&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fdtc-spending-will-be-decimated-in-2009.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2110639 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:37:00 +0100 2110639 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2107749&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fsecret-lives-of-dtc-critters.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2107749 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:28:00 +0100 2107749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104515&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fwill-obama-eliminate-advertising.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104515 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0100 2104515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2097907&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fwolfe-at-dtc-piggys-door-huffing-and.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2097907 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:09:00 +0100 2097907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074495&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Freflections-2008-articles-soulful.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074495 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 05:07:00 +0100 2074495 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033161&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Frevised-dtc-guidelines-do-little-to.html According to a story in AdvertisingAge, PhRMA's revisions of its DTC Guidelines are getting "less-than-encouraging reviews from some key legislators" (see "PhRMA Guideline Revisions Don't Go Far Enough for Legislators")."On the one hand, PhRMA has taken our committee's concerns seriously by revising parts of their DTC code," said Rep. Bart Stupak, chairman of the committee's oversight and investigations panel. "On the other hand, some of these changes are merely a rewording of prior policy that does nothing to increase consumer protection."If the revisions were meant to APPEASE the legislators, then the endeavor failed and it appears that the pharmaceutical industry is in for some major policy changes in 2009. What's in store from Congress will be the focus of the article "The Changing Pol... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033161 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:08:00 +0100 2033161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027328&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Flilly-and-diabetes-zyprexa-suspense.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027328 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:26:00 +0100 2027328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027045&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fnew-phrma-dtc-guidelines-ignore.html According to a press release issued today, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Board of Directors has adopted measures to strengthen the PhRMA Guiding Principles on Direct to Consumer Advertisements about Prescription Medicines.What's missing is any mention of a moratorium on DTC advertising for new drugs.At the recent "DTC in the Era of Consumer Choice" conference hosted by DTC Perspectives magazine, Hugh O'Neil, VP and Head of Market Access at Sanofi-Aventis, stated that PhRMA's members are likely to agree on a DTC advertising moratorium for newly approved drugs (see "An Experiment: Ban All DTC Broadcast Advertising for One Year"). O'Neil said there was a debate about the exact length of the moratorium -- whether it should be 6 months, one year, or longer. Mo... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027045 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:27:00 +0100 2027045 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027330&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fbms-abilify-astrazeneca-seroquel.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027330 Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:07:00 +0100 2027330 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027778&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F479674552%2F Let’s not overstate the case - advertising on pharmaceuticals has not disappeared. But there do appear to be fewer ads. Spending fell 6 percent in the first eight months of the year, to $3.2 billion, according to TNS Media Intelligence, and that followed a decline of 3 percent for all of last year to $5.3 billion, Dow Jones reports. Why? Much of the decline came from a downturn in so-called non-branded advertising, including corporate promotion messages and disease-awareness spots, TNS tells the news service. Another factor appears to be the drop in FDA approvals of new drugs is another factor, since spending on new brands fell 7 percent last year while spending on established brands rose 5 percent. Before last year, direct-to-consumer advertising was generally increasing and peaked ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027778 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:34:16 +0100 2027778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2027783&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F479449838%2F Henry Waxman, the California Democrat who will soon head the House Energy & Commerce Commitee, wants to give the FDA the power to ban direct-to-consumer ads when a new medicine first reaches the market and risks are not fully known, Reuters writes. The idea is one of several he hopes to pursue come January after a new Congress convenes, he told an industry conference yesterday. “It is in these first few years of a drug’s life that drug companies often aggressively market their products and engage in direct-to-consumer advertising. This increases the number of consumers exposed to safety risks of new products long before those risks are truly understood,” Waxman said at a conference sponsored by The Prescription Project, a group critical of industry marketing. He supp... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2027783 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:34:33 +0100 2027783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021468&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fad-spending-worst-is-yet-to-come.html "For the advertising and media industries, the worst is yet to come, according to some of Madison Avenue's most closely watched forecasts," according to an article in today's Wall Street Journal (see "Ad-Spending Forecasts Are Glum").What about pharma ad spending?I've already predicted that DTC ad spending will decrease in 2009 (see "DTC Ad Spending Will Decrease 9% in 2008 and 11% in 2009!").So far, about one-third of respondents to my Future of Rx DTC Advertising survey agree with me.Please take a few minutes to tell me your opinion:http://tinyurl.com/63o2kx (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021468 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:38:00 +0100 2021468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2021731&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F478395552%2F A planned reform of the European Union’s pharmaceutical industry no longer contains a ban on the repackaging of prescription drugs for resale, according to a draft document obtained by Reuters. Parallel traders, who buy and resell prescription drugs to exploit price differences among EU states, had faced a repackaging ban in an earlier version of the reform due for formal adoption this week. EU Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen faced pressure from parallel traders who argued a ban would have wiped them out, because they would have to repackage drugs so that explanatory leaflets to patients are in the right language. “Instead, a new article…has been added to allow manufacturing authorization holders such as parallel traders to replace safety features under strict co... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2021731 Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:09:29 +0100 2021731 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2017900&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fgsk-lamictal-vs-placebo-placebo-wins.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2017900 Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:42:00 +0100 2017900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011126&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fnew-rozerem-print-ad-takes-cue-from.html Under the leadership and creative guidance of its advertising agency, the marketers of Rozerem sleep-aid medication launched a new print ad campaign that emulates the edgy, break-through-the clutter type of ads common in the packaged goods industry.The new ad is shown on the left.This is the first time that a pharmaceutical company (Takeda) has coordinated efforts with a packaged goods company -- ie, Pepsi -- to use similar themes and images to create consumer ads.AdvertisingAge showcased the original Pepsi ads in a recent article (see "Pepsi Opens a Vein of Controversy With New Suicide-Themed Ads")."There's but one calorie in PepsiMax and, as we know, one is the loneliest number," said AdvertisingAge. "So it only makes sense that a new flight of print ads from BBDO Dusseldorf show a cute ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2011126 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:02:00 +0100 2011126 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996518&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fmental-health-blog-advocate-voices.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996518 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:09:00 +0100 1996518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1991562&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F465356000%2F The FDA plans to interview more than 1,500 consumers to decide whether DTC TV ads should urge patients to report side effects, the Associated Press writes. However, some critics argue the toll-free number could distract viewers from other important safety info about prescription drugs. Print ads already include contact info for the FDA, as required by a law passed last September. The legislation ordered the FDA to report to Congress by late March whether that info should also be mandatory for TV ads. But the agency requested more time to complete its work and is expected to soon begin a formal study - more than a year after the safety legislation was signed into law (back story here and here). The agency has now made plans for a large-scale study to assess whether adding instructions about... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1991562 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:14:00 +0100 1991562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984876&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fwhats-future-of-dtc-advertising.html Both the economy and new political atmosphere in Washington are likely to affect direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of Rx drugs in the near future."According to a new study by TNS Media Intelligence," reports Advertising Age, "DTC spending is down for the second consecutive year and likely will not reach the $5 billion mark by the end of 2008 that many media companies had counted on."Under the new Obama administration there will be new leaders of HHS (Daschle) and the FDA (TBD). New pressure will be put on the pharmaceutical industry to limit or perhaps ban DTC advertising.The drug industry itself may be moving towards a voluntary moratorium on DTC advertising of newly-approved drugs.Please take a few minutes to tell me your opinion of the future of Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) advertising o... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984876 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:05:00 +0100 1984876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980969&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fbernard-carroll-pimp-in-chief-is.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980969 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:00:00 +0100 1980969 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980669&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fscare-balance-or-scare-tactics-weak.html Based on some minimalist data reported in the Wall Street Journal, Bob Ehrlich of DTC Perspectives Blog concludes that "we need to be judicious how we approach patients with side effect information" in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of Rx drugs (see "Fair Balance or Scare Balance"). The WSJ article cited some not-very-scientific research, which "shows" that "expecting to feel ill can bring illness on in some instances" (see "Power of Suggestion: When Drug Labels Make You Sick").Clearly this WSJ article is another example of Ehrlich's expressed perception that the media "[hypes] negative outcomes with their 'death in your medicine cabinet' type stories." NOT!In this case, the media is a great source of questionable research that Ehrlich can use to make a case against current FDA think... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1980669 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:53:00 +0100 1980669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1961218&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F452943304%2F Make it two years in a row. According to a new study by TNS Media Intelligence, DTC spending is down for the second consecutive year and likely will not reach the $5 billion mark by the end of 2008 that many media companies had counted on, Advertising Age reports. Through August, total measured DTC ad spending was down 6.3 percent to $3.175 billion compared with the same period last year. That projects to $4.76 billion in total spending through the end of 2008, compared with $5.26 billion in 2007, which would be a drop of more than 9 percent, AdAge writes. This is the second consecutive year spending fell after reaching a peak of $5.4 billion in 2006. “The pharmaceutical category is closely watched within the ad industry for indications of the health and direction of marketing budg... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1961218 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:57:56 +0100 1961218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1960707&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fdtc-ad-spending-will-decrease-9-in-2008.html "According to a new study by TNS Media Intelligence," reports Advertising Age, "DTC spending is down for the second consecutive year and likely will not reach the $5 billion mark by the end of 2008 that many media companies had counted on." (See "DTC Spending Falls for Second Consecutive Year").I've plotted the numbers in the chart in the left (click on the chart to enlarge). The 2008 bar represents TNS's projection based on data from the first 8 months of 2008. It's a 9.6% drop from 2007, which was 3.7% less than 2006.Nothing to "get alarmed about," says Bob Erhlich of DTC Perspectives (see his blog). He was basing his remark on his own estimate that the decrease will only be 6-8%. If I were a DTC ad agency, I'd be alarmed even with an 8% decrease in business!What's alarming, however, is ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960707 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:25:00 +0100 1960707 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1960709&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Flillys-40-over-40-erectile-dysfunction.html According to an article in the London Financial Times:"Eli Lilly is to be reprimanded by the UK pharmaceutical industry watchdog for 'unbalanced' promotion of its anti-erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, in violation of ethical rules."The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority has ruled that the US-based company 'brought discredit' on the industry through a marketing campaign on television, the internet and in brochures in GP surgeries in the UK."The Lilly campaign that is the focus of this reprimand is the so-call “40 over 40” campaign, which claims that "40 per cent of men aged over 40 had problems with erectile dysfunction."It's interesting that the UK "watchdog" focused on the failure of the campaign "to cite the side-effects or risks, and in a way that would have encourag... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960709 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:10:00 +0100 1960709 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947357&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fabilify-antipsychotic-treatment-of.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947357 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:57:00 +0100 1947357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947358&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fshock-treatment-ray-sandford-forced-ect.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947358 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:08:00 +0100 1947358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930250&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fexperiment-ban-all-dtc-broadcast.html At last week's "DTC in the Era of Consumer Choice" conference hosted by DTC Perspectives magazine, Hugh O'Neil, VP and Head of Market Access at Sanofi-Aventis, gave the audience a bit of a preview of PhRMA's new Guidelines for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Advertising.It appears that PhRMA's members are likely to agree on a DTC advertising moratorium for newly approved drugs. O'Neil said there was a debate about the exact length of the moratorium -- whether it should be 6 months, one year, or longer. Bob Erhlich, chairperson, commented that most DTC campaigns do not begin until 6 months after launch anyway and a 6-month moratorium, therefore, would not be a change from current practices. Most people, therefore, expect PhRMA to recommend a 1-year moratorium.What is often missing in the debate ab... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930250 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:27:00 +0100 1930250 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1930251&cid=t_110755_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fnew-disease-facing-drug-industry.html Pills you can take for EAD (courtesy of The Stranger: "Rx for Election Anxiety Disorder").Tomorrow, of course, is election day here in the USA and it seems that the pharmaceutical industry is, for the most part, shrugging it off as of very little consequence one way or the other. There is, however, some anxiety.Dan Jaffe, Executive VP of Governmental Relations at the Association of National Advertisers, said at last week's DTC Perspectives' DTC in the Era of Consumer Choice Conference, that the drug industry and its advertising partners are facing a new disease: EAD or Election Anxiety Disorder.But Jaffe reminded the audience that there is anti-business rhetoric from both sides of the aisle and he summarized who in Congress is against the industry and who is for it in his presentation at t... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930251 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:22:00 +0100 1930251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1921104&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fcharles-nemeroff-vns-cyberonics-and.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1921104 Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:49:00 +0100 1921104 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1914798&cid=t_110755_140_f&fid=35439&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarsoupkitchen-stephany.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fmedicalizing-of-american-emotions.html (Source: soulful sepulcher) soulful sepulcher blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1914798 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:30:00 +0100 1914798