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."

# # #

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

# # #

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.

###

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or

registered trademarks of their respective holders.

From Twitter 09-11-2009

• 04:21:55: Finally some new data! New About.com survey (n=1850) shows almost 50% web users search 4 more info online after diagnosis: http://tr.im/yq4C
  
• 04:24:17: RT @ilovelasik: TGIF- video contest http://www.gottaseethisnow.com/seethis/ will help you win $5000 for lasik
  
• 04:34:07: @whydotpharma i actually have some awesome global social media data, recent, with large "n". Anything particular ur looking for? #hcsmeu
  
• 05:36:44: @nicoleljohnson : Great point. Also. I believe their new "Taking the Pulse Europe" reports r starting 2 ask more questions RE: Social Media.
  

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From Twitter 09-10-2009

• 07:18:06: Thanks for the RTs @hoffman @Moacyr @CLIOAwards - How Digital is Shaping Future of Pharma Mkt http://tr.im/xEQG (via @swoodruff)
  
• 15:10:41: Nice find! Medical Marketing & Media: AMA hops on the social media bandwagon - http://tinyurl.com/on4e4z
  

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From Twitter 09-03-2009

• 04:17:50: YAHOO! launches "Meme" to take on TWITTER. Seriously? http://tr.im/xMGn
  
• 11:57:08: THANKS! RT @pharmaguy: @skypen is at it again! See The Nest, Home for Diabetes Tweeps. It's like a virtual Twitter meetup! http://tr.im/xcVi
  
• 12:36:16: THANKS! RT @JeanneMale: PLS RT "The Nest" for DIABETES TWEEPS - a virtual Twitter meetup! http://tr.im/xcVi RT@pharmaguy via @skypen
  
• 12:36:33: THANK U! RT @PhilBaumann: Diabetes patients: Look what the remarkable @skypen has done for you: http://bit.ly/11mkEk cc: @sixuntilme
  
• 12:37:20: 2 kind! RT @whydotpharma: RT @PhilBaumann: Diabetes patients: Look wht the remarkable @skypen has done 4 U: http://bit.ly/11mkEk - Wow!
  
• 12:38:04: Thank U! RT @VM_DesigNut: RT @PhilBaumann: Diabetes patients: Look what the remarkable @skypen has done for you: http://bit.ly/11mkEk
  
• 14:27:59: LOL What's ur email? RT: @sixuntilme @skypen Cool site - I saw this the other day and wasn't surprised to find out you were behind this. :)
  
• 19:32:26: Thank u guys -- 2 kind! RT: @ellenhoenig @skypen-you've done it again! @whydotpharma @PhilBaumann... The Diabetes Nest: http://bit.ly/11mkEk
  

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Yahoo Tests Microblogging Service

Source: Mediapost (Online Media Daily)
by Mark Walsh

In its latest effort to catch up in social networking, Yahoo has quietly introduced a microblogging service that looks like its answer to Twitter. An English-language version of the offering dubbed Yahoo Meme was launched in alpha this week following the rollout of versions in Spanish and Portuguese in recent months, according to TechCrunch.

The service lets users post videos, photos and other content accompanied by short descriptions and create a comment thread beneath each entry. People can also follow others on Yahoo Meme, as with Twitter and Tumbler, and track their posts through a personal dashboard. Users can also "repost" anyone's entries to their own meme.

Yahoo explains in the "About" section of the site that Meme is intended to let people quickly and easily share content without having to be part of any specific social network. (Although you do have to be registered on Yahoo.) The company also believes it has ideas on how to do these things "in better ways than what we see on other sites."

TechCrunch, however, was not impressed after testing the service, saying it "seems lacking in its features and its potential to surpass its competitors." Both TechCrunch and paidContent point out that Yahoo has a spotty track record with social networking, having shuttered projects like Yahoo Mash and SpotM in India less than a year after its launch.

That's not to mention the closing of Yahoo 360 in May, and Yahoo in April announcing plans to pull the plug on GeoCities, the forerunner of sites like Facebook and MySpace that Yahoo acquired a decade ago for $3.6 billion. (At least the company isn't still throwing around that kind of money on attempts to gain ground in social media.)

With Twitter established as the Internet's social wire service, and Facebook in hot pursuit, Yahoo trying to create its own microblogging alternative looks like another quixotic effort in the social space. Has anyone been clamoring for Yahoo to build a Twitter-killer?

The biggest advantage that a service like Yahoo Meme could have over Twitter is reliability. Twitter has become notorious for frequent service outages, with its "Fail Whale" graphic, appearing whenever the site is overloaded, emerging as the company's unofficial logo.

If nothing else, Yahoo has shown it can handle major traffic spikes, as when news of Michael Jackson broke and the Web portal stayed up and running as other sites such as Google and Twitter buckled under the surge in volume. TechCrunch reported Wednesday that Twitter had hired ex-Google exec and Feedburner founder Dick Costolo as COO, presumably to help tackle its downtime issues.

If only Yahoo could hire a Mr. Fix-It for its social networking woes.

From Twitter 09-02-2009

• 16:35:42: New health-focused semantic search engine debuts "HealthBase": http://tr.im/xKR8 (@techcrunch finds small bug: "Causes of AIDS: Jew". WTF?)
  
• 16:36:47: Very cool (and rare) indeed! RT @jlefevere: just had a quick call with @skypen...I love it when like minds meet.
  
• 17:43:20: DC launches multimedia HIV campaign"Ask for The Test": http://tr.im/xL3R (via @PozMagazine)
  

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DC Launches Multimedia HIV Testing Campaign

Source: POZ

On August 29, DC officials launched a $225,000 multimedia campaign encouraging residents to get an HIV test, The Associated Press reports. Advertisements—which can already be seen on television—feature people holding up signs that read, “Ask for the Test.”

According to the article, the campaign will include additional television spots as well as print, outdoor and radio ads. It also allows DC residents to use text messaging to find the nearest HIV testing site. The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will team with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to encourage doctors to offer HIV tests to their patients.

“Hopefully within a short period of time, people are going to understand that they’re not going to go to the doctor without asking for an HIV test,” said Mayor Adrian Fenty, who views HIV/AIDS as the city’s “greatest public health challenge.”

The testing initiative is the first phase of DC’s five-year HIV effort. This winter, the campaign will focus on encouraging residents to talk to their partners about their HIV status. The campaign will then focus on promoting condom use.

According to a report released earlier this year, at least 3 percent of DC residents are already living with the virus.

Check out the campaign's Website: www.DCTakesonHIV.com.

From Twitter 09-01-2009

• 09:40:29: AZ & other pharma featured in Sept. PharmaVoice story: "The Business of Tweeting": http://tr.im/xEdP (via @AstraZenecaUS)
  
• 09:50:14: GR8 tweeps featured in PharmaVoice story on Tweeting @jonmrich @maverickny @kevinkruse @AstraZenecaUS: http://tr.im/xEdP
  
• 09:50:30: GR8 tweeps featured in PharmaVoice story on Tweeting @zelliott @roche_com @healthyjack @cadelarge: http://tr.im/xEdP
  
• 09:54:44: RT @shwen: #SocPharm #hcsm: "Pfizer's Twitter Dilemma" http://tr.im/xEiB (AdAge vid of #bdi w/ @RayKerins)
  
• 10:29:35: Impressive! RT @pharmaguy: Full BOEHR(inger) Social Media Reporting of RELY Trial Results. Pharma Marketing Blog post: http://bit.ly/9xVHf
  
• 11:50:33: From Manhattan Research: How Digital is Shaping Future of Pharma Mrktng: http://tr.im/xEQG (via @swoodruff)
  
• 12:31:15: Medical Marketing & Media: "Merck launches online video with Project Runway HIV spokesman": http://tr.im/xF1A
  

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From Twitter 08-31-2009

• 21:03:50: RT @angiekringen: Check out the latest addition to JDRF's social networking site, Juvenation: http://tinyurl.com/m2y2ez
  

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From Twitter 08-28-2009

• 08:47:57: @NatBourre fabio@ignitehealth.com. Exciting!
  
• 08:59:05: Agree completely RT @swoodruff: RT @johnmack Twitter for Brands: Beyond Marketing. Pharma Marketing Blog post. http://bit.ly/ULIr6
  

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From Twitter 08-26-2009

• 10:05:42: CRZY! RT @EileenOBrien: Fascinating! 35% of those surveyed by about.com wld fill Rx w/out 1st doing research online http://twurl.nl/07hpa2
  
• 16:43:40: U r vry welcome! RT: @NatBourre @skypen Thanks for including me in yr `24` list. I am delightfully surprised 2 see my name there.
  

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From Twitter 08-25-2009

• 07:17:41: @Boehringer Ingelheim launches 1st 2 YouTube Channels, including "Parkinson's Matters": http://tr.im/x3VE (via Skoko)
  
• 11:23:29: U R WELCOME! Love ur tweets! RT @bradatpharma: @skypen : Thanks for putting me in your list... that's an amazing crowd to be included in :)
  
• 11:23:43: U R WELCOME, Wendy. RT @WendyBlackburn: Thanks @skypen ... Honored to be among your 24 "PharmaTweeps" http://bit.ly/fxmlv Cool dashboard.
  
• 11:28:00: The 24: Pharma Twitterati worth following! http://tr.im/x3UA
  
• 11:29:23: The 24: @shwen @pharmaguy @swoodruff @jonmrich @@whydotpharma @bradatpharma @eileenobrien @wendyblackburn @kevinfrench: http://tr.im/x3UA
  
• 11:30:43: The 24: @kevinkruse @leonardkish @heldincontemp @maverickny @natbourre @philbaumann @richmeyer @ellenhoenig: http://tr.im/x3UA
  
• 11:31:46: The 24: @pitch360 @jaeselle @mkmackey @durbaniak @angel189 @eyeonfda: http://tr.im/x3UA
  
• 11:37:16: 24-hours of non-stop pharma tweets! RT @heldincontempt: Thanks, @skypen, for including me on your "24" -- I am honored! http://is.gd/2ygB0
  
• 11:39:59: One small catch, Twitter API hates feeding 24 streams to the masses all at once... so sometimes the dashboard goes blank. Moronic ;)
  
• 16:21:28: Great post Mark! "New Offerings by Pharma on YouTube": http://tr.im/x6U6 (@eyeonFDA)
  
• 18:11:26: Had 2 make room 4 others. RT @kevinkruse: @skypen Wow, very cool & honored 2 be in such gr8 company. But Fabio, why aren't U in the #1 spot?
  

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From Twitter 08-24-2009

• 11:30:08: UR WELCOME. RT @Roche_com: @skypen thx 4 creating phrma TWTR dashbrd http://bit.ly/ez1dA -now curious 4 the disease-specific 1. Great work!
  

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From Twitter 08-23-2009

• 14:15:11: Thank you ! RT: @ellenhoenig This is great! RT @odomlewis: @edwardberrang @skypen's easy-to-use page of pharma tweets http://bit.ly/12Hv7L
  

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From Twitter 08-21-2009

• 19:09:57: COOL INDEED! RT @shwen: This is just plain C-O-O-L - Try it! "The Personas Project From MIT": http://bit.ly/QRplW (via @TechCrunch)
  

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From Twitter 08-20-2009

• 07:28:57: RT @GSW_Worldwide: inVentiv Health launches REMS Offering http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/globenewswire/171731.htm
  
• 09:45:54: @swoodruff reviews Novartis' new YOUTUBE channel: http://tr.im/wM23 (via@shwen @wmartino @bradatpharma)
  
• 11:09:46: CEI comments on FDA's Draft Guidance, takes issue w/FDA's failure 2 adopt discrete NEW MEDIA policy: http://tr.im/wMnB
  
• 11:17:26: Comments include really interesting & well-articulated POV on the FDA's "14 letters" to pharma for search ads. RT @shwen: http://tr.im/wMnB
  
• 13:32:28: Added a few more. RT @pharmaguy: @skypen has put together an easy-to-use page of pharma co tweets! http://www.ignitelabs.com/pharmatwitter/
  
• 14:22:49: THANKS! RT @kevinkruse: @skypen Holy crap, that's a hot dashboard for following pharma! http://bit.ly/ez1dA Great stuff.
  
• 14:23:41: Glad you like it! Next up, disease-specific streams ;) RT @ginacaps: @skypen cool pharma dashboard !!
  
• 14:24:09: THANKS! RT @shwen: Cool shtuff! - RT @kevinkruse: Holy crap, that's a hot dashboard for following pharma! http://bit.ly/ez1dA Great stuff.
  
• 14:47:46: @leonardkish : does it work on explorer? can't duplicate the issue on either browser. Hmm.
  
• 14:49:04: You are very welcome. RT @twit_pro_quo: @skypen Great job with the dashboard. Really usefull.
  
• 16:21:44: THANX! Unfortunately, seems like some folks having technical difficulties - random! RT @eLuminater: @skypen love your pharma dashboard.
  

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