Pharma Industry News Update: 17 January 2017
Six Top Global Pharma Companies Establish New HCP Technology Standards Group
Six of the top 25 largest global pharmaceutical companies announced the formation of Align Biopharma, a new group dedicated to setting technology standards that will make it faster and easier for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to connect with the life sciences industry. Founding members, with input from across the industry, will develop open standards and solutions for companies to streamline how HCPs get the drug and treatment information they need to deliver improved care to patients.
Initially, Align Biopharma will focus on developing two new standards to facilitate seamless digital engagement and simplify the HCP experience:
Identity management – definition of an identification and authentication standard to enable a single sign-on for HCPs to access online content – including websites, portals, virtual events, or webinars – across all companies.
Consent and communication preferences – definition of standards for consent and preference management so that there is consistency in how HCPs specify communication preferences with each company.
AMA Survey Finds That Many Physicians Are Enthusiastic About Digital Health Tools, But Few Currently Use Them
Physicians are optimistic about digital health innovation and its game-changing potential to benefit medicine, according to a new survey released today by the American Medical Association (AMA). While there is broad-based optimism, physicians tell the AMA there are “must-haves” that digital health tools need to turn their enthusiasm into adoption.
Among the key findings, the physician survey showed:
- Physicians overwhelmingly see potential for digital health to favorably impact patient care, with 85 percent of those surveyed saying that digital health solutions are advantageous to patient care.
- Physicians are also optimistic that digital health has potential for improving practice efficiencies, patient safety and diagnostic ability, while reducing burnout.
Healthcare Providers Uncertain What Health Technology Tools to Recommend to Patients
More than two-thirds of respondents said technology can help support healthy behaviors among patients, according to a survey released by NEJM Catalyst. More than half said technology generates additional data for analytics.
But 67% of respondents also said they don’t know what tools to recommend to patients, and 42% said it’s still unclear how tools actually impact care.c ability, while reducing burnout.
Further Reading:
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Pharma Marketers Should Re-evaluate the Use of Social Media in Light of Growing Consumer Mistrust
As pharma gets ready to explore social media, perhaps they should first ask patients/consumers if they want to engage pharma companies via social media as new research indicates that social media has a very low confidence among US adults.
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