Pharmafile Logo

The role of medical affairs in positive and appropriate engagement with patient advocacy groups

January 30, 2020 |  

Written by Gavin Jones, Dr Alexandra Safronova & Professor Peter Rutherford, OPEN Health

Following a series of workshops at a recent Medical Affairs Professionals Society (MAPS) Congress in Amsterdam, workshop leaders Gavin Jones, Dr Alexandra Safronova and Professor Peter Rutherford share their lessons learnt on how medical affairs departments within pharmaceutical companies can help create better partnerships with patient advocacy groups

Pink divider

Patient advocacy groups continue to mobilise and play an increasingly important role in delivering advice and support helping to get treatments to those most in need by Influencing many elements of drug development and patient access processes. This is very much the case in rare disease where groups give critical support to patients and those close to them through influential programmes delivered  with passion and dogged persistence.

Biopharma recognises the importance of positive engagement and partnership with patient groups. Gaining a far greater understanding of the patient journey helps to translate innovations into actual benefits for patients and caregivers in improved clinical outcomes and patient experience.

A question remains around how, and which part of a biopharma organisation should be involved in building patient group relationships. Many organisations invest in patient advocacy leads to support engagement, but they are often brought in to support dialogue as new treatment is becoming available.  As   patient  groups  are  rightly  getting involved in activities much earlier in the drug development process who should lead engagement at this stage and support over the longer term?

This was a question that was posed at workshops during the recent Medical Affairs Professionals (MAPS) meeting in Europe. MAPS is an organisation that supports the sharing of best practice amongst leaders in this key function of pharmaceutical companies. So, who are medical affairs and what is their role?

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/37IYg5

Pink divider

Get in touch

For more information on rare disease contact:

Gavin Jones, Director of Rare Disease, OPEN Health

Gavinjones@openhealthgroup.com

This content was provided by OPEN Health

Company Details

 Latest Content from  OPEN Health 

OPEN Health Appoints Tim Perryman as Global Head of Operations to Strengthen Operational Excellence and Support Global Growth

OPEN Health today announced the appointment of Tim Perryman as Global Head of Operations, strengthening the company’s operational leadership as it continues to scale its global capabilities and support clients...

OPEN Health Appoints Peter Black as EVP, Global Client Partner and Transformation Lead to Accelerate Global Client Partnerships and Digital Innovation

OPEN Health today announced the appointment of Peter Black as EVP, Global Client Partner and Transformation Lead.

OPEN Health Appoints Cara Priest as Chief People Officer to Strengthen Culture, Capability and Organisational Performance

OPEN Health today announced the appointment of Cara Priest as Chief People Officer, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building a high-performing culture that supports its continued growth and scientific excellence.

OPEN Health Appoints Matt D’Auria as Chief Executive Officer to Drive Innovation and Growth

OPEN Health Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt D’Auria as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Based in the US, Matt brings more than 25 years of...

OPEN Health Appoints David Sakadelis as Chief Technology Officer

OPEN Health is pleased to announce the appointment of David Sakadelis as Chief Technology Officer. In this role, David will be responsible for enhancing our services through technology-enabled solutions for...

The Potential Impact of the New Presidential Administration on the Future of the Inflation Reduction Act and Broader Healthcare Policy

Discover the key takeaways from OPEN Health’s latest whitepaper: "The Potential Impact of the New Presidential Administration on the Future of the Inflation Reduction Act and Broader Healthcare Policy."

OPEN Health Presents First Collection of Research Backed by Scientific Buyout Fund to Foster Research and Development

OPEN Health is excited to announce the upcoming presentation of a collection of research supported by its Scientific Buyout Program. This initiative empowers our team members to dedicate time toward...

OPEN Health and fusion announce partnership to deliver AI-powered healthcare communications

OPEN Health, a pre-eminent global provider of scientific communications, HEOR and market access, patient engagement, and consulting, today announced a partnership with fusion, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine...

OPEN X Health launches to provide data-driven creativity to the pharmaceutical industry

OPEN X Health launches to provide data-driven creativity to the pharmaceutical industry

OPEN Health Appoints Steven Duryee as Chief Operating and Transformation Officer

OPEN Health Appoints Steven Duryee as Chief Operating and Transformation Officer