Eli Lilly tops with psychiatrists, says Verispan survey

Eli Lilly tops with psychiatrists, says Verispan survey

Psychiatrists ranked Eli Lilly the top pharma in overall esteem, ousting Pfizer, which held the top spot in the previous study in 2006, according to Verispan's Pharmaceutical Company Image 2008 study. Forty-three percent of surveyed psychiatrists mentioned Eli Lilly, with Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, and Forest ranked second through fifth. In the 2006 study, Pfizer was No. 1 among psychiatrists, with 55% of respondents mentioning the corporation. Verispan's Pharmaceutical Company Image is a biennial analysis of pharma company and industry image as perceived by healthcare professionals. In March and April of this year, Verispan surveyed more than 10,000 participants, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, medical directors pharmacy executives, and consumers.

CIGNA developing virtual world to improve behavior and health outcomes

CIGNA developing virtual world to improve behavior and health outcomes

CIGNA said it is developing a virtual healthcare community, a computer-simulated world that aims to foster behavior change. The "world" uses seminars, interactive displays, educational games, and virtual health consultations. CIGNA's virtual community provides 3-D video game-like interactivity. Upon entering the virtual healthcare community, visitors are welcomed by an avatar, which greets and leads them to the virtual seminar. Participants can communicate with each other by using text chat or voice through a headset and microphone. To make the presentation come alive and increase audience involvement, the presenter uses 3-D props and graphics. The community uses the Second Life platform for the pilot program.

Web site provides clinicians with migraine education and tools

Web site provides clinicians with migraine education and tools

A new online repository of education and resources will provide physician, pharmacists, and nurses with up-to-date migraine information and education. The Migraine Resource Network, from CME provider MediCom Worldwide, includes clinical challenges and self-directed learning related to the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment options of migraines. The new site was developed with the input of a group of clinical headache experts, and all content is subject to scientific peer review prior to posting. Registered members of the site can access and print assessment tools and references, view video and audio programs, read relevant literature, and view a schedule of upcoming events and meetings. Users can also tailor their educational experience to their own individual needs.

Researchers borrow Facebook networking concepts for Alzheimer's study

Researchers borrow Facebook networking concepts for Alzheimer's study

New Alzheimer's research borrowed networking concepts from Facebook, according to Stanford University School of Medicine scientists. After analyzing the brains of people with the disease, researchers found that Alzheimer's patients' brains were less well-connected than the brains of people without the disorder. Using a concept known as small-world networking, in which informational hubs in the brain connect with each other, researchers studied the paths through which these hubs connected. Social networking sites work the same way, linking people who don't know each other through mutual friends. When researchers compared the path length and number of hubs between people with early-stage Alzheimer's disease and control subjects, they discovered that the people with Alzheimer's disease had fewer functional hubs. Researchers said it would be like two people finding each other on Facebook without the benefit of a mutual friend.

Abbott launches HIV-awareness Facebook group with Magic Johnson Foundation

Abbott launches HIV-awareness Facebook group with Magic Johnson Foundation

Abbott is working with the Magic Johnson Foundation on a new Facebook group that aims to engage young adults in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community. The new group uses the "I Stand With Magic" program to encourage young people to get educated, tested, and seek treatment for HIV. It also includes the new public service announcements (PSA) directed by Spike Lee that feature Magic Johnson and his wife. The PSAs can also be seen on YouTube. According to Abbott, about half of all new HIV infections in the United States are among African-Americans.

Check out the group here:

<http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=14932322719>

 Abbott makes the HIV medicine Kaletra.