Latest articles from Medical Marketing and Media

Sanofi braces for patent cliff impact

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:51:21 GMT

Sanofi is girding itself for an ugly year, forecasting a 12%-15% drop in business earnings per share for 2012 as the company absorbs the loss of patent exclusivity on a stable of drugs that brought in more than €4 billion last year.

Unemployment picture brightens for US, but not for pharmas

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:35:52 GMT

Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke isn't savoring the drop in the US unemployment rate to 8.3%, the lowest in three years, and the pharmaceutical industry can definitely relate.

Merck looks to wake up sleep aids category with suvorexant

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:21:00 GMT

Merck continues to wade deeper into the prescription sleep aid category. The company said Monday that it will file a New Drug Application with the FDA this year for its therapy.

Pfizer promotes Canada chief to lead US primary care marketing

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:55:48 GMT

Pfizer named Paul Levesque chief marketing officer for its US primary care business.

White House sides with GSK sales reps

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:59:50 GMT

The U.S. Solicitor General has filed an amicus brief siding with the pharmaceutical sales representatives in their overtime case against GlaxoSmithKline.

Pharma had third-most layoffs in Jan 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:16 GMT

A report by outsourcing firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas showed the pharmaceutical industry ranked third among the highest-layoff industries in January 2012.

Expanded use of Xgeva a longshot, analysts say

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:04:00 GMT

Amgen wants to extend use of bone cancer drug Xgeva (denosumab) into the prevention setting, but analysts, not to mention the FDA's own advisors, are not optimistic about its chances.

Amylin reports Q4 sales slump, touts Bydureon potential

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:31:14 GMT

Amylin said Tuesday that quarterly sales fell 5.3% to $165 million for the period ended December 31 as Byetta sales declined.

Industry group releases digital best practices

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:53:53 GMT

Weary of FDA foot-dragging on digital and social media guidance for pharmas, a group of 60-some industry digerati have put together guidelines of their own.

Merck, GSK shrug off rec to make HPV vaccine routine

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:44:37 GMT

Vaccinating boys between the ages of 11 and 12 against human papillomavirus, or HPV, could become a new part of pre-adolescence if a new recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices takes hold with parents and physicians.

Headliner: Fred Wilkinson, Watson Pharmaceuticals

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Fred Wilkinson's "second tour of duty" at Watson includes global expansion, R&D investing and launching branded and generic products

Managed Care: Preferential Treatment

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Pharma firms are partnering with managed care companies to find drug evidence and improve outcomes. Can this strategy provide the proof payers demand before giving products preferential treatment?

Medical Advertising Hall of Fame: Lasting Legends

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The Medical Advertising Hall of Fame's three new members have had exceptional lives and careers. We look back at their achievements

MM&M Awards: The Hunt for Red October

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The MM&M Awards 2012 program is open for business.

MM&M Therapeutic Focus: Cardiovascular

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

New cardiovascular treatments are gaining FDA approval as massive brands lose patent protection. Noah Pines on the potential of these new entrants to replace that lost revenue

Patient Education: Vying for Attention

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Marc Iskowitz on how Shire's disease-awareness campaign engaged untreated Gen Y-ers, and why it's time for more patient-education efforts like it. Plus: See patient advocates discuss the ADHD market

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Pharmas must step up and lead on off-label, online communications

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:30:43 GMT

FDA's recent draft guidance on off-label communication is, despite its shortcomings, a step forward, writes John Kamp, arguing that pharmas should take this welcome bit of clarity and act boldly on it

WEB EXCLUSIVE: FDA says "Pharma, guide thyself"

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:59:47 GMT

FDA's first draft guidance to come out of its 2009 online communication hearing offers sound counsel but not much in the way of specifics, writes Peter Pitts. The takeaway: where the letter of the law is hazy, exercise your judgement and follow, as best you can, the spirit of the law.