From Twitter 10-02-2009

• 06:49:31: Medical Marketing & Media cover story on Social Media features Juvenation.org, community for type1 #diabetes: http://tr.im/Ar7o
  
• 15:15:42: Medical Marketing & Media: "Lilly delves into social media for oncology art contest": http://tr.im/Au8H
  

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Patient-Targeted Messaging for Emerging Multiple Sclerosis Agents Needs to Highlight Efficacy and Preservation of Quality of Life

Surveyed Neurologists Perceive the Efficacy of Merck Serono's Rebif Nearly As Equivalent to that of Biogen Idec's Tysabri, According to a New Report From Decision Resources

Press Release
Source: Decision Resources
On Wednesday September 30, 2009, 8:14 am EDT

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that patient-targeted messaging for emerging multiple sclerosis oral agents will need to provide high-level information regarding the efficacy and preservation of quality of life and forego catchy and/or short taglines highlighting oral dosing. The knowledgeable multiple sclerosis patient population is likely to already be informed about oral dosing and will want information regarding efficacy and safety so that they can readily compare these new agents to the efficacy and safety of currently available agents.

"Based on our survey of multiple sclerosis patients, messages from Biogen Idec's Avonex were among the most appealing to patients because they highlight the drug's ability to slow the progression of disability and its ability to reduce the frequency of relapses. Messages highlighting patient support programs (such as Bayer's Betaseron) or needle size (such as Teva Pharmaceutical's Copaxone) were among the least appealing," stated Amanda Puffer, analyst at Decision Resources.

The new report entitled Brand Perceptions in Multiple Sclerosis also finds that surveyed neurologists perceive the efficacy of Merck Serono's safer Rebif nearly as equivalent to that of Biogen Idec's Tysabri. Despite Tysabri's efficacy in clinical trials, this shows that neurologists do not perceive its superiority in delaying disability progression to be sufficient to offset its safety drawbacks.

"One of our most surprising findings was the fact that surveyed neurologists perceive Tysabri to be only slightly more efficacious than Rebif. Even though Tysabri's efficacy is superior to that of Rebif's, it is well accepted that neurologists are hesitant to prescribe Tysabri because of the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) associated with it," added Ms. Puffer.

PML is a rare and potentially fatal central nervous system infection occurring in immune-compromised individuals.

The report contains primary research with 101 U.S. neurologists and 253 U.S. patients. Key brands included in the primary research consist of Avonex, Tysabri, Rebif, Betaseron, Copaxone, Genentech's Rituxan, Roche's CellCept and generics.

About Brand Perception Series

Decision Resources' Brand Perception Series quantitatively analyzes physician and patient brand perception and message resonance. The findings are driven by extensive primary research and offer clients an unbiased, comprehensive, cost-effective solution to understanding the full competitive brand landscape.

About Decision Resources

Decision Resources (www.DecisionResources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources, Inc. company.

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 www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

From Twitter 09-30-2009

• 06:30:44: UCB Pharma launches new support & advocacy program Crohn'sAdvocate - claims 2 CONNECT people, but misses SOC MED opp: http://tr.im/Adt3
  

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New Program Strips Stigma From Crohn's Disease and Unites Community

ATLANTA, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Launched today, a new support and advocacy program called Crohn'sAdvocate(TM) takes a full 360 degree approach to connecting, educating and empowering the half a million Americans living with Crohn's disease. Through a team of inspiring advocates, forum events across the country, and a free, quarterly magazine, the program is designed to connect people on the same journey and break the stigmas associated with Crohn's disease. This comprehensive, educational program offers people living with Crohn's with resources, guidance and support locally and nationally, offline and online at CrohnsAdvocate.com.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www2.prnewswire.com/mnr/ucb/39965/

To view Website: http://www.CrohnsAdvocate.com

Crohn's disease is a chronic, progressive and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease that results in an inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Most Americans living with Crohn's disease often feel isolated and limit social activities because of the constant pain and fatigue they experience, as well as the fear of an immediate need to find a public restroom. Often the embarrassing nature of the disease forces those afflicted to battle Crohn's disease alone, as people find it difficult to share their experience with others.

"This is an exciting and much-needed resource for the Crohn's community," noted Marla Dubinsky, MD, contributor to the Crohn'sAdvocate magazine and Director of the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. "Crohn'sAdvocate is a program developed to strip away the stigma of secrecy often inherent with diagnosis and open doors to communicating with others about the condition."

The program is comprised of four key components:

• Crohn'sAdvocate Team: At the heart of the program is an inspiring team of advocates. They are empowered individuals who share their personal journeys with others living with Crohn's.
• Crohn'sAdvocate Magazine: A free, quarterly publication chronicles the journeys of people on the frontlines of Crohn's disease: those living with Crohn's, their healthcare providers, family and friends.
• Crohn'sAdvocate Forums: Local educational symposiums across the country connect people living with Crohn's disease with an Advocate who reveals his/her personal journey with the disease, a leading gastroenterology expert and supportive materials.
• CrohnsAdvocate.com: A dynamic Web site provides informative news about the program, an opportunity to preview magazine articles and subscribe to the publication and venue-specific information for the local forums.
• The cornerstone of the program is the magazine, entitled Crohn'sAdvocate. Now in its second issue, the educational centerpiece has a youthful, energetic design that aims to provide readers with a moving, informative and fun reading experience, unique from any other publication dedicated to the disease. Thirteen contributors connected to Crohn's, such as Los Angeles-based comedian Ben Morrison and former National Hockey League (NHL) player Kevin Dineen, have ensured that this issue, entitled "Crohn's at a Crossroads," is filled with practical information on everyday living, inspirational patient-centric stories about life transitions, as well as useful news and insights for people with Crohn's, especially those making a life change. A pilot issue was published in April 2009. The magazine is available through doctors' offices nationwide and online at CrohnsAdvocate.com.

"When I was first diagnosed with Crohn's 23 years ago, I was worried about how my life would change, what people would think and how it would affect my career," said Dineen, who currently coaches the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates. "I have found that it is so helpful to meet others who are going through what you are because they understand- that's why it is important to have a program like this."

To connect people who often feel isolated, the Crohn'sAdvocate team is traveling across the country to eight cities this fall speaking about their personal journeys with the disease. Each Advocate is paired with a leading gastroenterologist who provides an overview of the disease and ways to manage it. The Crohn'sAdvocate Forums were piloted in the spring of 2009 and have already connected more than 100 people affected by Crohn's disease.

The Crohn'sAdvocate program was created and is supported by biopharmaceutical company UCB. The program was created in response to the needs expressed by the Crohn's community including a stronger connection with others, information and support related to health and well-being and education and encouragement to address disease management.

To download an issue of Crohn'sAdvocate magazine, learn about a Crohn'sAdvocate Forum event, or view stories and pictures of those involved in the program, go to CrohnsAdvocate.com.

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approximately 10,000 people in over 40 countries, UCB produced revenue of 3.6 billion euro in 2008. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (Symbol: UCB) . U.S. headquarters is located in Atlanta, Ga.

Forward looking statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, effects of future judicial decisions, changes in regulation, exchange rate fluctuations and hiring and retention of its employees.

From Twitter 09-29-2009

• 06:44:31: NIH asks public 4 input on consumer health behaviors 2 improve health communications: http://tr.im/A6c5
  
• 14:29:21: @Nedra i know! but "following" is still problematic on twitter, no? Hope all is well with you.
  
• 16:11:28: @PhilBaumann on Google SideWiki: "How to Brace Yourself for a Communications Bitch Slap": http://tr.im/A9yz
  

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NIH Wants Help Improving Public Input

Source: HDM Breaking News, September 24, 2009
by Joseph Goedert

The National Institutes of Health has issued a request for information on ways to better receive input from consumers and improve communication with the public.

NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting biomedical and behavioral research. The RFI is in response to President Obama's call for greater transparency, public participation and collaboration in federal decision making.

"The RFI will provide insight and better understanding of the health information needs and information-seeking behaviors of NIH health consumer audiences," according to the document. "Information gathered will assist the agency in developing and disseminating health, medical and scientific information to a broader variety of audiences. The agency anticipates using new outreach strategies and tools, from community-level outlets to Internet-based social media. Members of the public as well as organizations are invited and encouraged to participate in this public input opportunity."

The RFI seeks information on the following topics:

* the current state and range of health information-seeking behaviors and trends;
* the range of health information of interest to the public;
* how the public accesses and uses health information; and
* barriers that might impede NIH's ability to communicate with health consumers.

NIH published the request for information on Sept. 23 in the Federal Register, available at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. Responses are due by Dec. 31, 2009.

From Twitter 09-28-2009

• 13:13:49: Diabetes Hands Foundation & Boehringer Ingelheim partner 2 launch "Making Sense of Diabetes" UCG Video Contest: http://tr.im/A1MV
  
• 13:23:26: Slideshare Presentation by @jdLasica: "Top 10 Pharma Efforts In Social Media": http://tr.im/A1Q3
  
• 13:28:32: Video & Slides: Social media case study from Mark Addicks of General Mills: http://tr.im/A1S3
  
• 13:31:17: @rohitbhargava post: "10 Rules Of Using YouTube For Pharma & Healthcare Marketing": http://tr.im/A1Tt
  
• 14:36:02: RT @jonmrich: "8 Tips to Help You Own YouTube’s Search Results." Something for every marketer to consider. Please RT. http://su.pr/AiOD4X
  
• 15:46:54: Nice, simple aggregation. from pharmaco. RT @MMMnews: GSK provides all-in-one product info site in the UK: http://tr.im/A2An
  

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Top 10 Pharma Efforts in Social Media

Top 10 Pharma Efforts In Social Media

View more documents from JD Lasica.

From Twitter 09-25-2009

• 06:20:59: Think it's viable? RT: @pharmaguy If only this were NOT a mock site created by u. re paharmaco solciting AEs via widget: http://bit.ly/U9P9v
  
• 07:28:50: PhRMA 08 revd guidelines stated all print ads shld incl FDA Medwatch 800# & Web URL for AE reporting? No rec. 4 websites. WTF. @pharmaguy
  
• 07:38:21: Health Leaders Media: "Health System Uses Social Media to Recruit Physicians': http://tr.im/zIiu (@seaboardhcs)
  
• 07:40:41: RT @pharmaguy: Put this FDA widget on ur brand.com site & ur SM AE reporting worries r over: http://pic.gd/774fa9 (JST MOCK UP by @skypen!)
  
• 07:47:54: Other option: "click 2 talk/chat"- staff call center; pharmacos pay yearly fee, run by 3rd party, feeds real-time database, MDs can access.
  
• 09:08:20: Perhaps a combo: phone tree, trained operators, & RNs - with a triage algorhithm. RT @RandstadPharma: who staffs the call center?
  
• 09:54:30: Voice of San Diego: "My Grandmother Out-Tweets Your Biotech": http://tr.im/zJ6t (@davidwash @Peterpitts) #fdasm
  
• 09:58:02: Thanks 4 the summary Ellen! RT @ellenhoenig: Pharma Marketers: A Few Takeaways RE: PharmaMed Conference. http://bit.ly/GajK1 #pharmamed
  
• 11:05:47: RT @shwen: @pharmaguy: "Pharma Hot or Not": http://twitpic.com/j36qu
  
• 11:10:35: Thanks 4 FF & ditto! FOLLOW THESE GUYS: @cheyennejack @pharmaguy @chickalishus @RandstadPharma @shwen #followfriday #followpharma
  
• 11:30:09: @fardj I just report the news. AMERICA VOTED and U R 1 of "PHARMA'S HOTTEST BLOGGERS" @shwen @pharmaguy: http://twitpic.com/j36qu
  
• 11:36:31: THANK YOU @JNJComm for the #followfriday . I would do the same back but I think *everyone* already follows you! :)
  
• 11:42:38: Re-tweet a gr8 post. 5 new followers. Tweet something semi-intelligent. 10 new followers. Have @pharmaguy say ur good looking. PRICELESS.
  
• 11:47:56: And stack the deck? U have an unfair advantage as is! RT: @pharmaguy I could have given you a MUCH better photo had I known abt it. ;-)
  
• 11:50:35: And next time u go 2 hooters...RT: @pharmaguy @skypen I live vicariously through u! Nxt time u go to Italy I wnt daily posts & flickr updts!
  
• 12:00:41: Interesting use of twitter, hashtag & SMS by pharma: http://tr.im/zJL5 (@AstellasUS)
  
• 12:02:34: I sense #jealousy :) RT @a0k: the growing #bromance btw @skypen & @pharmaguy is so awkward & so amusing. #pharma
  
• 12:23:35: @a0k had no idea #bromance was a hashtag :)
  
• 13:07:44: This will come back 2 haunt me. I just know it! :) RT: @pharmaguy @a0k I live right outside the city of "brotherly love" ya know.
  
• 13:55:03: Thnx 4 this. RT @JNJComm: RT @SusannahFox: In case you're a fan: @Pew_Internet on Slideshare http://bit.ly/20ztHe
  
• 13:58:09: RT @JaeSelle: "6 Steps 2 Getting Your Healthcare Social Media Idea Approved" http://su.pr/1jUzvS RT @jonmrich
  
• 14:00:44: Does any1 know whether twt invitations 2 join some1's "Mafia Family" r auto-spam or real, authorized invites? (My uncle Vincenzo is pissed!)
  
• 14:07:19: Both. RT @rlewis: Fabio what tools do u use 2 deploy client SM? Updates 2 each platform independently or managed thru aggregator tool?
  
• 14:39:27: Diff. aggregators 4 diff. purposes. 4 core aggregation, Yahoo! Pipes rocks. @rlewis
  
• 14:40:22: @rlewis know OF shoutlet, never used. Just took a quick look. Seems interesting. DM me 4 further discussion :)
  
• 17:04:31: Pharma Marketing Blog: "Some Pharma Marketers Can't See the Unbranded SM Forest 4 the Branded SM Tree": http://tr.im/zL9r (via @durbaniak)
  
• 19:10:33: Worth the grin. "The Stupidest Article About Social Media Ever": http://tr.im/zLDy (@comprendia @Zee @maverickny)
  

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Health System Uses Social Media to Recruit Physicians

Source: Health Leaders Media

Written by Marianne Aiello, for HealthLeaders Media, September 23, 2009

When Geisinger Health System in Danville, PA, was having trouble recruiting gastroenterologists earlier this year, Cathy Connolley knew it was time for an innovative strategy.

"When recruiting gastroenterologists we traditionally would do print ads in different medical journals and direct mail," says Connolley, Geisinger's associate vice president of marketing. "But this time, we weren't getting the types of responses that we were looking for."

So the Geisinger marketing team worked with Zero-In Recruitment Marketing, a Bloomsburg, PA, firm, to create a social media physician recruitment campaign.

Zero-In began integrating social media into many of their clients' recruitment efforts because it realized that the majority of physicians use the Internet to conduct their job search. According to a 2008 New England Journal of Medicines study, 71% of respondents said they hunted for jobs online. And the popularity of Sermo, a social networking site just for physicians, gives marketers some insight into how doctors spend their time online.

Geisinger wanted to develop a convenient, cost-effective way to communicate with physicians, Connolley says. "So we sat down with Zero-In and they walked us through what it would take to put a Facebook page up and direct gastroenterologists who met the criteria we were looking for to our page—and that tactic outpaced our direct mail approach and our email blasts."

Geisinger and Zero-In launched a Facebook page in January, which includes photos, recruitment event information, and links to the health system's site.

Attracting followers on Twitter
Seaboard Health Care Search, a physician recruitment firm based in Nashville, also worked with Zero-In to promote their brand via social media. But Seaboard focused their efforts on a different channel: Twitter.

"We're in a marketplace that is now shifting to people who are very young," says CEO William Herrington. "I'm always looking at how to position my organization to take advantage and get to physicians-in-training earlier."

Herrington's experience with physicians taught him that they have very little time to keep on top of medical news and other hot topics, so Twitter was the best medium for Seaboard to disseminate that information to busy physicians while building its brand.

The key to building a successful Twitter campaign is to provide people with useful information and not only promote your business, says Todd Cole, recruitment marketing specialist at Zero-In.

"You run a big risk of alienating your population by using social media as sales tools," he says. "We've been using Twitter to share information that's valuable to physicians and physician organizations and making Seaboard's name synonymous with those."

Seaboard's Twitter account posts links to articles that physicians may find interesting from a variety of sources.

"We're trying to develop an educational aspect to let physicians know what's going on," Herrington says. "We want to get to the point where they don't have to use us and we can still educate them and they will have a positive viewpoint on Seaboard healthcare because we're actually giving them something."

Turning fans and followers into employees
In addition to promoting positive brand awareness, social media sites are effective marketing tools because there are many ways to track their results. Though Geisinger and Seaboard's campaigns are in the early stages, both organizations have already seen an impact on their recruitment efforts.

Geisinger, for example, sent out a direct mail piece to a list of gastroenterologists with a link to a job listing page. Just four people who received the mailing visited to the Web page. When Geisinger posted the same job-page link on their Facebook page, 17 people clicked on it.

The health system has since hired three gastroenterologists, one of which can be directly attributed to the success of the Facebook page.

Seaboard has heard a lot of positive feedback from physicians and clients about their Twitter account, Herrington says.

"People are actually clicking on the information we're putting out and sharing it with the people who follow them," Cole says. "We can track the trend and the effectiveness of what we're putting up and the traffic that we're getting through URL-shorteners. We're sprinkling the business information in right now, and eventually we can make it a 60/40 split [between news and recruitment information]."

Before embarking on a social media recruitment campaign, healthcare organizations must commit resources to update the sites at least daily and decide how to bring useful information to their target audience, Cole says.

"The first thing people need to realize is it's not meant to be a job board," he says. "If you're going to take it on by yourself, you have to make sure you have someone who's going to dedicate time to it daily. You have to make sure your light is always on so people know to stop by."

From Twitter 09-24-2009

• 12:07:34: BREAKING NEWS: John Mack (@pharmaguy) gives up bIogging to pursue new entrepreneurial venture in the t-shirt business: http://tr.im/zDmi
  
• 13:49:49: THANK U EILEEN! RT @EileenOBrien: @slarcker @skypen Nice quotes in the PharmaExec social media article: http://bit.ly/v5qof
  
• 16:25:30: Nice :)RT: @slarcker pharmexec: "An Open Conversation," quoting me & my @Digitas_Health colleagues RE: social in pharma! http://bit.ly/PE7cW
  
• 17:59:06: @pharmaguy -- AE reporting, Universal FDA Widget ... John, remember this idea? http://tr.im/zEZ3
  
• 18:07:46: Marc Monseau explains Y TWTR has not changed how J&J communicates: http://tr.im/zF1g @stevewoodruff @eileenobrien @EngagementStrat @JNJComm
  
• 18:13:03: No idea why it requires FIREFOX instead of working in Google's own Chrome??? RT @ellenhoenig: RT @PhilBaumann: Google's SideSwipe/SideWiki
  
• 18:16:33: What you must do 2 prep 4 FDA Public Hearing on Social Media: http://tr.im/zF5q - As always, thank U Mark (@eyeonfda) - GR8 post 4 industry
  
• 18:25:02: 2Day's Headline from @Pharmaguy: "Pharma Spends More DTC $$ on Web vs. Newspapers"; 2012 Headline: "Pharma Spends More $$ on Web. Period."
  
• 18:28:40: RT @Roche_com: Interesting poll results on @mhuckman ‘s blog about twitter and the biopharma industry: http://www.cnbc.com/id/32987936
  
• 18:51:46: @mhuckman RE: ur post- actually Lilly IS on Twitter, just not in a corp way. They sponsored medscape tweets from lung conf & @LlyOncOnCanvas
  

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From Twitter 09-22-2009

• 05:00:42: @swoodruff writes: "Coming Up: A Big Week in Pharma Social Media" http://tr.im/znDj
  
• 06:01:16: NPR HEALTH BLOG: FDA Wades into Social Media, ready to talk Web 2.0 ... on the eve of Web 3.0: http://tr.im/znBk #FDASM
  
• 16:08:00: THANKS! RT @ellenhoenig: @skypen : like your 5 tips in - PharmExec article, "An Open Conversation," http://bit.ly/PE7cW
  
• 16:21:32: Nice Insights & Analysis by @rohitbhargava "How Doctors Are Using Social Media": http://tr.im/zrOg
  
• 16:24:40: Thanks @shwen, took you long enough! : ) "Pharma Twitterama - Lessons Learned from a Pharma Company that Uses Twitter": http://tr.im/zrRd
  
• 16:26:54: Nice primer by Jay Krall: "Regulation & healthcare in social media": http://tr.im/zrRO (via @socialmedia2day)
  
• 16:27:54: RT @pharmaguy: #fdaSM Are J&J Agents Trolling for Adverse Events on the Internet? FDA should read this. http://bit.ly/uZfWB
  
• 16:40:50: GR8 PODCAST (http://tr.im/zrSy) hosted by @pharmaguy w/exl Dig. Phrm chair @Shwen RE: DigPhrm (http://tr.im/zrTA) & SM @DigitalPharma #fdasm
  
• 16:49:49: NEW: @PHARMAGUY PODCAST on FDA & Soc Med: http://tr.im/zrSy. THE thought leaders talk: @shwen @bradatpharma @fardj @swoodruff, etc. #fdasm
  
• 16:53:59: @swoodruff: "If FDA continues 2 believe the current guidance is fine, we're not going 2 get very far": PODCAST: http://tr.im/zrSy #fdasm
  
• 16:57:48: @pharmaguy: "All pharma companies such tweet during exl's Digital Pharma & engage in 2 way dialog" PODCAST: http://tr.im/zrSy
  
• 16:58:49: THANK U! RT @JaeSelle: @skypen Congrats on the great piece in PharmaExec. LOVE the "Key Pathways 2 Social Media Success" http://bit.ly/NfemH
  

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From Twitter 09-21-2009

• 05:00:38: Biggest news since Fri (also biggest news of the year), FDA calls hearing to discuss Drug Promo via Web and Social Media: http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 06:00:56: The tweet heard round the web: FDA calls public hearing to discuss Drug Promotion via Web & Social Media: http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 11:08:14: RT @blueeyepath: Why Non-Pharma Marketers should Care about FDA Hearing on Drug Promo & Social Media http://tinyurl.com/l9e3gx #FDASM @shwen
  
• 11:27:21: RT @RosettaHC: MM&M story on FDA public hearing on internet/social media in pharma: http://bit.ly/2VYULk #hcsm #hcmktg #FDASM
  
• 12:33:53: FDA's Janet Woodcock at FDLI Conf: The Way people communicate, esp. SOCIAL MEDIA, key driver of change 2day: http://tr.im/zkp8 (@eyeonFDA)
  
• 13:23:15: FDA Hearing on Drug Promo via Web & SM: 1.Take SURVEY: http://bit.ly/eYazv 2.Discuss on SOCIALPHARMER: http://tr.im/zkFQ 3.TWT abt it #FDASM
  

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From Twitter 09-20-2009

• 14:18:25: @Pharmaguy posts survey (http://bit.ly/eYazv) 2 help prep response 2 FDA pub hearing on Drug Promo via Web & Social Media: http://tr.im/z65H
  
• 15:43:35: Not sure I follow. What do u mean? RT @avivagabriel: Wish @Pharmaguy gave REAL reasons for soliciting survey respondents...
  

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From Twitter 09-19-2009

• 07:46:02: I'm digging Google Fastflip ... anyone else checked it out? http://fastflip.googlelabs.com/
  
• 10:31:59: FDA agrees w/@pharmaguy's survey findings, decides 2 convene public hearing to inform guidance on use of Int & SM: http://twitpic.com/iavi4
  
• 18:33:48: GR8 POST! RT @WendyBlackburn: wht do Alaska & pharma marketing have in common? Find out in this post: http://bit.ly/Kn8VU #followpharma
  

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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)
  

Tweets copied by twittinesis.com

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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