Bob Lederer RFL Communications, Inc.

Google Flu Trends overstates U.S. influenza; CMS pushes Medicare Part D data release; PharmaGuy, John Mack, discusses pharmaco new MR technology usage; FDA finds new adverse event information source (PRVR–3/24 – 3/28/2014)

On this week’s Pharma Research VIDEO Report:
1) There has been successful social media-sourced tracking of contagious diseases, but the Google Flu Trends has overestimated the spread of influenza in the U.S. in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, according to Time Magazine.

2) Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services is pushing ahead part of its proposed Part D changes that deal with release of data to reputable organizations doing legitimate work. It has health care insurance coverage implications.

3) Pharmaguy John Mack joins PRVR to discuss what he says happening with pharma market research.

4) The FDA’s search for adverse events has led it to support creation of software that allows it to access 100 million health insurance and health records.

Bob Lederer RFL Communications, Inc.

Clinical caution with social media; Health problems versus coverage; MD new Rx adoption (PMRV–3/17/2014)

News on this week’s Pharma Research VIDEO Report:
1) The Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development comments on the pharmaceutical industry’s cautious use of social media, explaining how it could be accelerated.
2) Prosper Insights & Analytics released its “Healthcare Coverage Vital Signs Matrix,” which studies the links between health problems of individuals and their actual healthcare coverage.
3) M/A/R/C Research EVP Randy Wahl discusses research’s tendency to overstate adoption of new drugs and what is being done about it.
4) The Center for Medicare & Medicare Services withdrew its proposal to revise Medicare Part D following protests in Washington by insurers, pharmacies, pharmacies, health providers and patients.

Bob Lederer RFL Communications, Inc.

Comparing Observational MR; Proposed Part D changes; FDA generic Rx initiative; HIMSS reports on HC mobile implementation vs. usage; MDLinx verifying European MDs; Novartis expands clinical data transparency; SAP testing “Medical Insights” cancer patient assistance (PMRVR–3/4/14)

In this Pharma Market Research VIDEO Report:  1) GRACE, an 11-item checklist of data and methods, allows testing of baseline quality criteria for observational research.  2) The CMS is proposing changes to Medicare Part D. The big picture change calls for stopping automatic Medicare coverage of two drug classes; the underlying consideration in the plan could lead to federal government price negotiations with pharmacos (expressly forbidden in legislation that established Part D).  3) The FDA launches a $20 million initiative to test generic drug production, which represents 80% of Rx drugs. India, wiht its $15 billion in annual generic drug production, is a primary focus but China is also in the crosshairs. 4) HIMSS mobile research study investigates its implementation and use by healthcare providers.  5) GfK reports an upsurge in 2013 in purchase of mobile-connected medical devices in top European countries.  6) MDLinx is launching its physician verification service in Europe.  7) The Kaiser Family Foundation reports users of the ACA website were more price-oriented than physician-focused.  8) Novartis says it has extended its pharmaco leadership in clinical trial data transparency.  9) SAP is testing “Medical Insights,” a capability that aids cancer patients by pulling relevant data from many cancer data sources, runs advanced analytics and delivers customized results in real time.