Direct-to-Consumer Advertising – in Europe?
By Mary Gabb (mary.gabb@rxcomms.com ) Since 1996, DTCA has existed only in the USA and New Zealand , but recent declarations from the European Commission (EC) suggest that the rules…
Development Safety Update Reports (DSURs): simplifying periodic safety reporting
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August proposed a new guideline asking the sponsors of clinical trials to submit annual development safety update reports (DSURs). The guideline, titled “E2F Development Safety Update Report,” is in draft form and describes the format, content, and timing of a DSUR.
How to hold on to your web visitors
By Duncan Dibble (duncan.dibble@rxcomms.com ) If you Google for ‘website’ and ‘traffic’ you’ll be inundated with miracle cures to increase visitors to your site. It will then take you roughly…
Association of American Medical Colleges issues task force report on industry funding of medical education
By David Woods ( david.woods@rxcomms.com ) The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) recently issued a 43-page report of its task force on industry funding of medical education. Sections of…
Increased calls for publishing negative clinical trial data
By Mary Gabb ( mary.gabb@rxcomms.com ) A negative result is defined as one that shows evidence of absent (or no) effect of an intervention; it is not due to absence…
Is the NHS on its last legs?
By Ruth Whittington (ruth.whittington@rxcomms.com) With the NHS in the UK nearing its 60th birthday, there’s been considerable talk about whether the system should be put into retirement. At the recent…
‘Big box’ companies and public health
By David Woods (david.woods@rxcomms.com) Whether it’s because of a shortage of primary care physicians, impatience at the length of time it takes to see one, or simply increasing costs, the…
The mean versus the gene: will national healthcare systems ever adopt personalised medicine?
By John F P Bridges While outcomes for any given treatment differ significantly among patients, national healthcare systems continue to take a top down population perspective in reviewing not only…
Regulating DTC ads – Are we attempting to herd cats?
By Mary Gabb (mary.gabb@rxcomms.com) In a previous issue of HOC , we outlined some of the commonly expressed pros and cons of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA), which is currently allowed only…
Canada healthcare – from paper to pixels
By Ruth Whittington (ruth.whittington@rxcomms.com) Many of us in health economics and outcomes research look at Canada as one of the leaders in the field; along with Australia , Canada was…