Ahhh sweet spring… There are a few among us who are no doubt wishing for one more super snow storm (a couple I know very well), but for most of us in the Northeast who have been buried under feet of snow for most of the winter, we couldn’t be more excited to see the first signs of spring, well…springing up. And with the advent of spring comes a sense of optimism, even as the healthcare debate continues to rage on. (It would be helpful if there was substantive reporting rather than accusatory sound bites coming from the general “media" defending the position of each side of the aisle, but that’s another story for another time.) This spring, there are rumors and reports of project start-ups at the site level, which is good news and gets the business-growth ball rolling for the rest of us. There’s also more chatter about using social media for patient recruitment; again, more good news in terms of business opportunities. Technology adoption in the form of SaaS (software as a service) is gaining traction as a way to improve the efficiencies of a number of functional silos (please turn to pg. 12 to read why and how pharma is getting SaaS-y). Brand managers are using technology as well to improve their market research techniques, which will help improve the communications and messaging to their key audiences — physicians and patients. (To read what agency executives have to say about incorporating online media in their market research tool kits, please turn to page 28.) They also discuss how traditional and new media can be used to together to rejuvenate stale market research practices. (See the exclusive online digital article Building a Patient-Physician Bridge.) Spring also means the start of conference season — in the next three months there are dozens and dozens of industry trade shows (check out www.pharmavoice.com/events to see what’s on the calendar). These conferences provide an opportunity to hear what the experts are predicting for the year ahead as well as chance to reconnect with colleagues, clients, peers, and friends. PharmaVOICE, for example, will be at PMRG (Pharmaceutical Marketing Research Group) this month; the International BIO conference, Partnerships with Clinical Researchers, and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals in April; HBA’s Woman of the Year lunch in May; and the annual Drug Information Association conference in June, just to name a few. So with a spring in our step, we look forward to an industry uptick in the coming months and to seeing you out and about! Spring is in the air LETTER from the editor Publisher Lisa Banket Editor Taren Grom Creative Director Marah Walsh Managing EDitor Denise Myshko Senior EDitor Robin Robinson features EDitor Kim Ribbink Contributing Editor Carolyn Gretton design associate Ariel Medel national account manager Cathy Tracy CIRCULATION Assistant Kathy Deiuliis Copyright 2010 by PharmaLinx LLC, Titusville, NJ Printed in the U.S.A. Volume Ten, Number Four PharmaVoice (ISSN: 1932961X) is published monthly except joint issues in July/Aug. and Nov./Dec., by PharmaLinx LLC, P.O.?Box 327, Titusville, NJ 08560. Periodicals postage paid at Titusville, NJ 08560 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to PharmaVoice, P.O. Box 292345, Kettering, OH 45429-0345. PharmaVoice Coverage and Distribution: Domestic subscriptions are available at $190 for one year (10 issues). Foreign subscriptions: 10 issues US$360. Contact PharmaVoice at P.O.?Box 327, Titusville, NJ 08560. Call us at 609.730.0196 or FAX your order to 609.730.0197. Contributions: PharmaVoice is not responsible for unsolicited contributions of any type. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, PharmaVoice retains all rights on material published in PharmaVoice for a period of six months after publication and reprint rights after that period expires. E-mail: [email protected]. Change of address: Please allow six weeks for a change of address. Send your new address along with your subscription label to PharmaVoice, P.O. Box 292345, Kettering, OH 45429-0345. Call us at 800.607.4410 or FAX your change to 937.890.0221. E-mail: [email protected]. Important notice: The post office will not forward copies of this magazine. PharmaVoice is not responsible for replacing undelivered copies due to lack of or late notification of address change. Advertising in PharmaVoice: To advertise in PharmaVoice please contact our Advertising Department at P.O.?Box 327, Titusville, NJ 08560, or telephone us at 609.730.0196. E-mail: [email protected]. Volume 10 • Number 4 Send your letters to feedback@pharmavoice.com. Please include your name, title, company, and business phone number. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for length and clarity. All submissions become the property of PharmaLinx LLC.
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