From Twitter 09-18-2009

• 17:25:43: MUST-READ BREAKING NEWS: The FDA calls 1st ever PUBLIC HEARING 2 discuss DRUG PROMOTION using INTERNET & SOCIAL MEDIA: http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 19:20:57: THANX 4 RT! @xpetit @brianreid @cramermarketing @ edwardaten @maverickNY @heldincontempt @digitalbulldog @MiriamETucker: http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 19:29:21: FDA concedes: "Special characteristics of Web 2.0 & other technologies may require agency 2 provide additional guidance.": http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 19:44:24: FDA calls public hearing 2 discuss Drug Promotion via Internet & Social Media 2 gather data & possbly inform new guidance: http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 21:11:20: Brilliant!!! RT: @PhilBaumann @shwen Let's see how close I'll be on # 61, 62 & 64 re: FDA & Twitter - http://bit.ly/3TvNvb
  

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BREAKING NEWS: The FDA calls for a public hearing to discuss promotion of FDA-regulated medical products using the Internet and social media tools

This could perhaps be one of the most significant developments in healthcare marketing that I have witnessed in the past 10 years. The FDA is calling an official hearing to discuss medical product communications -- specifically in the context of the Internet, Web 2.0, and Social Media. This is a must read for anyone interested in helping shape the future of our industry.

The following statement, an extract from the notice, perfectly captures the significance of this event.

The FDA writes:

"The continually evolving nature of the Internet, including Web 2.0 and social media tools, as well as their expansion to applications such as mobile technology, have raised questions and concerns over how to apply existing regulations to promotion in these newer media. FDA is evaluating how the statutory provisions, regulations, and policies concerning advertising and promotional labeling should be applied to product-related information on the Internet and newer technologies.

Although the agency believes that many issues can be addressed through existing FDA regulations, special characteristics of Web 2.0 and other emerging technologies may require the agency to provide additional guidance to the industry on how the regulations should be applied."

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LINK TO THE FULL "NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING" ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE FDA

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Promotion of Food and Drug Administration-Regulated Medical Products Using the Internet and Social Media Tools; Notice of Public Hearing

AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration, HHS.

ACTION:
Notice of public hearing; request for comments.

SUMMARY:
The Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), in collaboration with FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), is announcing a public hearing to discuss issues related to the promotion of FDA-regulated medical products (including prescription drugs for humans and animals, prescription biologics, and medical devices) using the Internet and social media tools.

FDA is seeking participation in the public hearing and written comments from all interested parties, including, but not limited to, consumers, patients, caregivers, health care professionals, patient groups, Internet vendors, advertising agencies, and the regulated industry. This meeting and the written comments are intended to help guide FDA in making policy decisions on the promotion of human and animal prescription drugs and biologics and medical devices using the Internet and social media tools. FDA is seeking input on a number of specific questions but is interested in any other pertinent information participants in the hearing would like to share.

Dates and Times: The public hearing will be held on November 12 and 13, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Submit written or electronic registration by close of business on October 9, 2009. Written and electronic comments will be accepted until February 28, 2010.

Location: The public hearing will be held at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20594, 2023146305; Metro: L'Enfant Plaza station on the yellow, green, orange, and blue lines; see:

http://ntsb.gov/events/newlocation.htm

(FDA has verified the Web site address, but FDA is not responsible for any changes to the Web site after this document publishes in the Federal Register.)

LINK TO THE FULL PDF FROM THE FDA

From Twitter 09-17-2009

• 19:42:59: FUNNY-Thanx Mack! RT @pharmaguy: http://bit.ly/gFsaa - y a live twttr feed at conferences while speaker is presenting is NOT a gd idea.
  
• 19:46:16: :) RT @JaeSelle: Awesome BS alert. All of u w/"social media expert" in ur profile @armano is tlking 2 u. http://su.pr/2pXgwb (via @jonmrich)
  

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From Twitter 09-16-2009

• 12:33:47: New Manhattan Research report: Oncologists visit pharma sites & post content more than ave. HCP: http://tr.im/yTba (via @manhattanresear)
  

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Manhattan Research: Oncologists eHealth Trends

Oncologists Visit Pharma Sites and Post Professional Content Online More Frequently than the Average Physician

Source: Manhattan Research Press Release

Manhattan Research Specialist Segmentation Module Explores How Oncologists Use the Internet and Other Technologies for Professional Purposes and Treatment Decisions

September 16, 2009, New York, NY – Oncologists are more likely than the overall population of U.S. physicians to visit pharmaceutical, biotech, and device corporate and product websites on a regular basis, according to pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. In fact, almost seventy percent of oncologists visit product websites monthly or more often. Additionally, oncologists are three times more likely than physicians overall to be high-frequency contributors of online health-related content. The findings are derived from Manhattan Research’s study of physician adoption and use of the Internet and other technologies. The company’s physician market research can be segmented to derive insights into over twenty target physician specialties.

The field of oncology is rapidly changing, and physicians in this specialty rely on digital resources to receive the most up-to-date clinical and product news at the moment they need the information. While the sales rep is still undoubtedly important to many oncologists, manufacturers are now realizing the importance of supplementing in-person details with relevant online brand content that these specialists can access on-demand. For example, PfizerOncology.com from Pfizer offers useful videos, extensive product information, and patient education materials via an easy-to-navigate portal.

“The insight that oncologists are ‘above average’ in the digital realm is no surprise to the enlightened brand manager with an eye towards the future – a future in which reps are simply part of the promotional mix and not the center of it,” said Mark Bard, President of Manhattan Research. “The findings also highlight the need to further refine a professional strategy based on the needs of individual physician specialist segments. Clearly, companies can’t use a one-size-fits-all approach when addressing a physician audience online.”

Physician Specialist Segmentation Modules

Manhattan Research provides comprehensive analyses of over twenty physician specialist groups. Each Specialist Segmentation Module is an in-depth view of a particular market’s adoption and use of the Internet and other technologies for clinical, treatment, and product decisions and focuses heavily on tactical execution. The segmentation modules provide clients with the necessary market data and insights to make better informed decisions during brand planning and to connect with a particular specialist group through digital strategies.

Physician specialist module topics include interactive detailing, Web 2.0, pharmaceutical customer service portals, tech-enabled sales reps, search engines, online and offline professional information sources, email use and opportunity, patient interaction and education, digital health infrastructure, and mobile technology profile.

Complimentary Specialist Digital Report Card

Are you curious as to how your target specialist group stacks up to the digital adoption trends of physicians overall? To request a complimentary digital report card of your specialist segment, and to view a list of available physician specialist segmentation modules and topics, please visit http://www.manhattanresearch.com/products/Specialist_Segmentations

For additional segmentation module product and purchasing information, please contact sales@manhattanresearch.com or call 1.888.680.0800, ext 2.

About Manhattan Research

Manhattan Research, a Decision Resources, Inc. company, is a global pharmaceutical and healthcare market research and strategic advisory firm. We conduct annual research studies covering eHealth trends among physicians and consumers, including Taking the Pulse®, Taking the Pulse® Nurses, Taking the Pulse® Europe, Taking the Pulse® Asia, Cybercitizen Health™, Cybercitizen Health™ Europe, ePharma Consumer®, and ePharma Physician®. Broad consumer and physician research is complemented by targeted analysis among more than 100 consumer therapeutic segments and 25 physician specialist segments. For information, please contact sales@manhattanresearch.com, call 1.888.680.0800, or visit http://www.manhattanresearch.com.

Stay up to date on the latest eHealth trends through our e-newsletter and social networks –

• Sign up for our e-newsletter: http://www.manhattanresearch.com/newsroom/Newsletter
• Join our LinkedIn Group: http://tinyurl.com/mRLinkedIn
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/manhattanresear
• Fan our Facebook Page: http://tinyurl.com/mRFacebook

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at http://www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

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