Commercial Channels

The geriatric-dominated LTC market is growing, but has unique constraints

Premier, one of the leading group purchasing organizations (GPOs), is a vital linkage point between nearly 90,000 healthcare sites in the US, and the drug, device and hospital-supply vendors that serve them. Pharmaceutical Commerce sat down with Mike Alkire, chief operating officer of the company, to hear about what's driving GPO evolution today, and how it interacts with pharma manufacturers. Here's what he had to say:

Orphan drug development and marketing have important distinct requirements for R&D, regulatory and marketing

Latest Manhattan Research market study finds little growth in social media usage; also, the rise of the 'three screen' physician

Analysis of 'pharmacy related waste' finds $408 billion in potential annual savings

The healthcare system is coming to grips with the wave of genomic diagnostics that has followed new biological therapy introductions

In-depth statistical analysis using ZS Associates and IMS Health prescriber data demonstrates the value of rep-sourced communication

A cloud-based network of marketing services providers will address the inefficiencies of current multichannel practices

Agency wins a 'campaign of the year' award from its client, Abbott Labs, for medical display

Pharma industry serves best as underwriter of healthcare providers' efforts

Pharma companies are beginning to staff up internally—in part out of dissatisfaction with the capabilities of outside marketing agencies they employ

Home infusion association gathers member data, measuring variations in business practices

PCMA study estimates additional $32 billion in added healthcare costs through 2021; coupons 'lure consumers to switch from generics to expensive brands'

Unifying a company’s approach to marketing fulfillment activities could provide innovation while delivering cost savings

Pharma marketers become adept at refining coupon and voucher programs, while technology options multiply. Meanwhile payer criticism mounts

Following FDA’s punt of regulations for social media, industry is scratching its collective head over how to utilize these channels

Electronic health-record systems (EHRs) are bringing needed drug information to the point of care for prescribers

Nearly 200 drugs now carry requirements for a risk management program, as FDA evaluates the initial follow-up reporting from manufacturers

Combining prescription and OTC purchasing patterns gives deeper insights into patient behavior

First-ever injectable acetaminophen will serve pain sufferers who can’t take pills

MCM is but one way to get a focus on the explosive growth of new communication channels to physicians and patients

Drivers in the post-healthcare-reform world

HealthPrize Technologies is readying a sweepstakes approach to encourage patient compliance

By combining online with traditional direct-marketing media, manufacturers can accelerate sampling programs even in the face of restricted physician access

A biopharma marketer uses direct mail and a call center to access hard-to-reach physicians

Healthcare discussions are booming on the Internet. How will FDA allow pharma to participate?

While staff sales forces continue to shrink, the contract sales business is expected to nearly double over the next five years

50 Years of Birth Control: Pharma Continues to Push for More Reproductive-Health Options

Some healthcare providers are pushing for OTC access to birth control. Pharma appears to be on the sideline in the debate