December 6, 2011 ·
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Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc, MPH
For every transaction over ten dollars paid to a physician by a pharmaceutical manufacturer, the Physician Payments Sunshine Provision demands disclosure to a database that will be made public in 2013.
Notwithstanding the absurdity of collecting such an enormous amount of information, someone will undoubtedly spend a lot of time sifting through this data to create lists of “worst offenders.” These lists will be publically promulgated with the sole purpose of bestowing shame on these so-called “offenders.”
Of course, these lists may be perceived as tantamount to publishing a list of child molesters moving into a new neighborhood, or those people charged with driving under the influence of alcohol over the weekend listed in the Monday newspaper. Some of the most brilliant and renowned physicians in this country will be brought to shame for consulting with some manufacturers.
So, how bad can it get? Well, let’s imagine the following scenario, which I refer to as Grinding to a Halt. Leaders in the medical community who are respected for their research and experience may become so concerned about being publically exposed for consulting with various manufacturers that they may decide to cease all interactions going forward.
There will be no more advising pharmaceutical companies about the unmet medical needs for new molecules discovered in their research laboratories. There ... read more »
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academic medical centers capitation centers of excellence clinical studies CME continuing medical education drug compounds drug manufacturers healthcare reform medical community medical conferences pharmaceuticals Physician Payments Sunshine Provision physicians research laboratories Sunshine Act
October 14, 2011 ·
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Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc, MPH
The Sunshine Act is on the horizon, and all we know for certain is that things will be different. Will the changes be good, bad, or ugly for healthcare and the biopharmaceutical industry? Well, a bit of all three. But it is a bit like the Y2K scare, or the coming of the end of the world in December 2012 predicted by the Mayans—people in healthcare and biopharma are on alert, and no one really knows for certain how this will all play out.
Let’s start with the good, since there will be greater transparency in the interactions between manufacturers and physicians. The intended outcomes will be greater standards of remuneration for services rendered by healthcare professionals to various manufacturers, some defined threshold limit of activities (type and quantity) deemed permissible by institutions for their affiliated physicians, and a greater sense of awareness of the interactions between healthcare professionals and manufacturers, presumably by a concerned public.
With regard to the first outcome, it is hoped that some kind of industry standard for Fair Market Value will be established for the activities physicians are often engaged in when dealing with manufacturers. It will likely serve to “level the playing field,” so some manufacturers will not pay excessively for a given activity, such as consultative services. As ... read more »
TAGS: academic institutions biopharmaceutical industry centers of excellence clinical studies fair market value healthcare healthcare innovation innovation in medicine key opinion leaders media witch hunt medical community medical ethics medical experts Paul Meade pharmaceutical companies pharmaceutical manufacturers Physician Payment Sunshine Provision physicians public scrutiny of pharmaceutical industry public trust remuneration scientific advisory boards scientific community scientific conferences Sunshine Act Thought Leader Select thought leaders transparency US healthcare legislation US healthcare regulations Y2K
March 23, 2011 ·
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March 23, 2011 (CHAPEL HILL, NC)—Thought Leader Select, a research and consulting firm focused on healthcare and the biopharmaceutical industry, has initiated its most comprehensive package of research assessments in support of a new dermatology medication for a global pharmaceutical company.
The Research Triangle, NC-based firm packaged together a host of its competitive services for assessing the skills and experiences of the medical community. These company’s research and advisory services will provide a foundation for collaborations in support of a new treatment for pre-cancerous skin growths and other dermatological conditions. In one comprehensive project, Thought Leader Select will deliver assessments of more than 65 core physician thought leaders and emerging key opinion leaders in the allied health professions (including nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners), and medical centers of excellence in dermatology. In addition, Thought Leader Select will also assess and engage experts in market access and reimbursement. The firm will deliver its findings through its proprietary database, Thought Leader Index, and will also support medical, clinical, and brand teams with both technology and advisory services.
“We are very excited to be helping a new client in so many ways,” stated Neil Mellor, business development consultant at Thought Leader Select. “This is the most comprehensive project we’ve ever done at Thought Leader Select—it’s showing our ability to really customize to meet the ... read more »
TAGS: advisory services allied health professions. biopharmaceutical client customize dermatological conditions dermatology medication global pharmaceutical company health professions healthcare key opinion leaders KOL identification market access medical centers of excellence medical community Neil Mellor new treatment nurse practitioners nurses physician assistants physician thought leaders pre-cancerous skin growths profiling reimbursement research assessment rising stars Thought Leader Index Thought Leader Select
July 20, 2010 ·
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Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc, MPH
There have been some recent announcements in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease that will help patients determine the onset of early-stage disease. By combining imaging technology with some in vitro diagnostics that looks at specific biomarkers, physicians can provide some patients early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. But there is still one important issue to deal with at this time. There is no really effective cure for this dreaded disease.
So the question is: when do you want to know? As medicine advances and newer and more effective diagnostics tools become readily available, the ability to detect diseases earlier can mean we have more time to treat such disorders. On the other hand, if there are no effective means of treating these diseases, do we really want to know? Proponents of earlier diagnosis state that knowing what is inevitable helps a person better prepare for such eventualities, such as getting one’s will in order, deciding to do many things that were put off for years, travel more to visit loved ones, etc. Whereas opponents state that knowing about an impending disease that cannot be treated or controlled only leads to heightened anxiety and depression. So what’s the right answer? Of course, it depends on the person.
If individuals are free to choose when to ... read more »
TAGS: Alzheimer's disease anxiety biomarkers depression early detection health care providers healthcare costs healthcare delivery system imaging technology in vitro diagnostics medical community medicine nursing home physicians thought leaders
July 16, 2010 ·
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Industry Insights from Paul Meade, M. Sc, MPH
We all know that the cost of providing healthcare has been steadily rising throughout the world over the last few decades. While there are many nations that have very little healthcare services, there are those with an over-abundance of such care delivery. People everywhere have begun to see healthcare as an entitlement, rather than a privilege. And why is this so?
After World War II, many governments quickly realized that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce, and as such, began to adopt various forms of subsidized healthcare to offer to their citizens. Most countries introduced a form of universal healthcare provided by a single payer, the government. These central governments for the most part decided what products and services they would offer to their people, based on what they could afford with their budgets. For some countries, this was very little, and only the privileged few, while other countries offered everyone some form of healthcare coverage. The United States was different. They rejected the notion of a government-organized healthcare system and opted for the privatization of healthcare. After all, the U.S. was founded as a free nation that broke the shackles of the British monarch. And besides, the medical profession did not want to be constrained by the tyranny of a controlling government ... read more »
TAGS: diagnostic tests disease prevalence health status healthcare healthcare costs healthcare delivery healthcare services infant mortality life expectancy malpractice insurance malpractice lawsuits managed care medical community physicians quality of life single-payer healthcare surgical equipment universal healthcare WHO World Health Organization
