Pharma Futures has created an online discussion forum www.pharmafutures.org for pharma executives, and other stakeholders interested in discussing the future of the global pharmaceutical industry. The forum focuses generating a series of discussion topics that creates scenarios related to challenges facing the pharma industry. Each topic is debated for a two week period and then archived. Complete article.

A recent study by Manhattan Research found that 85% of doctors use email for professional communication purposes. US physicians are increasingly using email to communicate with other physicians, hospitals, health plans, and drug companies. However, the same study found that email communications between doctors and patients have remained stagnant. Link to full article.

A Harris Interactive study shows that more people are being informed about, and are participating in, clinical trials. The media and Internet are the main sources of information. The study also gives detailed insight into the what factors motivate consumers to participate in a trial.

A recent study of 78 pharma and other healthcare websites gave them a 5.6 out of 10 rating for the online treatment of their customers. The sites scored lowest in responsiveness (answers to online inquiries) and highest on simplicity of presentation.

JupiterResearch recently released its "Online Prescription Drug Sales" report analyzing consumer attitudes and purchasing behavior in 2003. The report found that between 2 million and 4.1 million adult Internet users in the United States bought prescription drugs online from questionable providers, defined as "foreign pharmacies or rogue providers not directly associated with licensed U.S. pharmacies". The report found that up to one-half of the 2 million to 4.1 million consumers did not use valid prescriptions to obtain the desired drugs.

These rogue or foreign pharmacies, however, are unlikely to enjoy strong sales growth in 2004, as consumers are becoming increasingly wary about such transactions. Concerns include drug safety, the legality of purchasing prescription drugs online, and credit card misuse.

Read more here.

A recent study from Pew Internet and American Life shows that the number of U.S. seniors using the Internet grew 47% in the last four years -- reflecting what they are calling the "silver tsunami". Seniors and aging baby boomers, of course, are critical population groups for pharma marketers given their high consumption of prescription drugs. To see the latest online usage statistics among these groups, click here.

E-prescribing has yet to take hold, despite the high hopes that existed during the Internet boom. Of course, digitizing the billions of yearly prescriptions has always been an attractive proposition, but in 2004 only a small segment of physicians have adopted the technology. This article discusses what it will take to get this stalled market moving again, including aligning the economic interests of the many stakeholders involved and removing the various barriers that are hindering adoption. Read the full article here.

This editorial by Stan Bernard, MD, MBA -- President of Bernard Associates and Senior Fellow at The Wharton School of Business -- discusses how modern marketers are managing multiple opportunities and challenges. Fifteen years ago, pharma marketers typically faced one mega-group of consumers, one mega-group of physicians, one mega-competitor and one mega-price. Today, pharma marketers must deal with multiple markets, media channels, stakeholders, prices, regulations, products, and consumer/physician segments. In terms of media channels, the Internet has increased the complexity and prospects for modern marketers. Read the editorial here.

Beginning in August, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Massachusetts will start paying primary care physicians for ''Web visits" with their patients. The insurer will be expanding its pilot program that pays doctors to respond to patient emails. The idea is that Web visits will save doctors' time and prevent frustrating waits for patients with quick questions and/or minor ailments. Doctor's will receive $24 for a Web visit -- $19 from the insurer plus a $5 patient copayment. Patients, however, seem more excited about the new program than doctors. Read more here.

In efforts to appeal to technologically savvy suburban “swing voters” President Bush has pushed for plans for most Americans to have electronic healthcare records within the next 10 years. Electronic medical records help save lives by reducing medical dosage errors that can occur with traditional paper records. The aim of what Bush calls “conversation on healthcare information technology” is to transform healthcare through the use health information technology, making healthcare more effective and error free. His new plans, which were also mentioned during the January State of the Union Address, are also part of the administrations strategy to expand health care beyond Medicare. Link to Washington Post article