Saturday, October 03, 2009

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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Thursday, October 01, 2009

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.

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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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Wednesday, September 30, 2009

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.
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From Twitter 09-29-2009





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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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.

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From Twitter 09-28-2009





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