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Why Pharma’s Digital PI Compliance Problem Needs a Cross-Functional Fix

In many pharma teams, the responsibility for keeping prescribing information (PI) up to date online falls into a grey area.
> Regulatory signs it off.
> Marketing publishes it.
> Digital manages the platforms.

But no one owns the full picture.
That’s where non-compliance creeps in—outdated PDFs, untracked SPC changes, forgotten landing pages.

There’s no grace period for updating PI. It must always be current and aligned with the SPC, on every channel.

In our latest article, we explore:
– The hidden gaps in cross-team workflows
– Common myths (like the 3-month update window)
– Why manual processes are no longer enough
– How smart collaboration and automation can close the loop

Digital PI Compliance

The challenge of keeping PI up-to-date

While most pharma companies have robust processes in place for reviewing promotional claims, the same can’t always be said for prescribing information (PI) – particularly online. And that’s a problem.

Despite clear PMCPA guidance, there’s still a common misconception that companies have up to three months to update PI following changes to the SmPC (Summary of Product Characteristics). They don’t. According to the ABPI Code, PI must be fully aligned with the current SPC at all times – whether it appears in a printed brochure or on a digital landing page.

So how does non-compliance still happen?

It often comes down to siloed responsibilities and manual processes. Regulatory teams approve the PI, but may not know where it’s published. Marketing controls the messaging but might miss SPC changes. Digital owns the platform but not the content. This fragmented ownership creates a blind spot.

The solution lies in cross-functional collaboration – with shared visibility across teams—and a shift toward automated tools that can:

  • Flag outdated or inconsistent PI content
  • Scan online assets for compliance gaps
  • Provide audit trails for approval workflows
  • Dynamically control access via QR codes

Ultimately, the goal is to move from reactive fixes to proactive governance. Accurate, up-to-date digital PI isn’t just a tick-box for compliance – it’s critical to patient safety and professional trust.

Read the full article on the Genetic Digital website: The Compliance Challenge No One Owns – But Everyone’s Accountable For 

This content was provided by Genetic Digital

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