By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    learn to recognize and treat yeast infections
    Most Commonly Asked Questions About Yeast Infections
    November 17, 2021
    Advanced lung cancer diagnosis systems used by doctors
    Advanced Lung Cancer Diagnosis Systems Used by Doctors
    March 6, 2022
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    The Top Benefits of a Wearable Blood Pressure Monitor Watch
    June 13, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Much Ado about Nothing
    September 13, 2017
    Repeal Without Replace Starts Destroying GOP’s Chances
    May 17, 2011
    Misinformation About IPAB
    June 9, 2011
    Latest News
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Why patients are the new rockstars in pharma
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > eHealth > Social Media > Why patients are the new rockstars in pharma
Social Media

Why patients are the new rockstars in pharma

Paul Tunnah
Last updated: February 16, 2016 6:03 pm
Paul Tunnah
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Anyone who reads my column on a regular basis will know my views on patient-centricity within the pharmaceutical (and broader life sciences) industry. The significant volume of buzz around the concept is only meaningful when it translates into action with companies engaging with patients in a meaningful way.

But it strikes me we are on the cusp of seeing a much deeper integration between patients and the industry, which draws parallels with how it already interacts with the scientific and medical community.

Anyone who reads my column on a regular basis will know my views on patient-centricity within the pharmaceutical (and broader life sciences) industry. The significant volume of buzz around the concept is only meaningful when it translates into action with companies engaging with patients in a meaningful way.

But it strikes me we are on the cusp of seeing a much deeper integration between patients and the industry, which draws parallels with how it already interacts with the scientific and medical community.

More Read

Physician Digital Marketing, Online Marketing, Digital Healthcare
Incorporating Digital Into Your Physician Marketing Plans
Becoming an Instagram Influencer: 3 Things You Need to Know
Top 10 Healthcare Takeaways from #SXSW2014: Part One
FDA Warning Letter: Don’t Make Unsubstantiated Claims, Even on Facebook
Internet Marketing and Healthcare’s Digital Decision Makers

Any good research-based pharma company is built on the foundations of strong science and relationships with healthcare providers. As such, as we have seen significant interaction between these groups, with medical doctors either advising companies or taking on roles internally (noting that this should be in a transparent way). Likewise, academic researchers have developed an ever-closer bond with their commercial counterparts over the last 20 years. For example, I remember the outrage during the late 1990s, when I was completing my doctorate, around a prominent Oxford scientist who decided to use his knowledge to set up a biotech. It simply wasn’t accepted by many at that time. Play that forwards and we now have a rich and vibrant biotech industry in the UK, which is underpinned by great academic science, drawing on its personnel and deploying technology transfer to bridge the gap between research and practical application. Academics often sit on the boards of commercial companies, who in turn fund research and everyone wins.

If we now consider that as a model for the evolution of patient-centricity, I believe we are seeing the same transformation. The way in which social media democratised access to health information gave the patient a voice – and a new way for the pharma industry to listen to it. Next, proactive patients went a stage further, using social media to empower themselves as epatients, or Patient Opinion Leaders, sitting alongside more traditional medical Key Opinion Leaders. The industry started listening to them – and learning more about what happens outside the clinic.

Now, rather like those academic scientists, patients are realising they can only do so much on the outside. The harsh reality is that their real-world expertise in a particular disease area needs to be allied with commercial funding and processes to deliver change. So we are now seeing the next evolution of this journey – patients being employed by the industry, sitting on advisory boards or even setting up their own companies. To name just a few examples, consider rare disease visionary Nick Sireau (AKU Society and Findacure) now working as Patient Engagement Director with AstraZeneca, epatients like Kerri Sparling (sixuntilme.com) advising commercial organisations and others who go even further in setting up and taking roles at novel health startups, like Manny Hernandez (Livongo Health), Michael Seres (11Health) and Jeff Dachis (One Drop).

At the sharp end of medicine – the commercial end where payers are playing a more prominent role versus regulators in determining whether patients can access new treatments – the science underpinning R&D is only valuable if it translates into practical benefit in the real world (and at the right price). In line with this, I think we are seeing a rebalancing of the foundations of pharma – real-world patient experience is becoming as important as the science that seeks to solve their problems.

And to the cynics who say ‘if you can’t beat them join them’ let me say this – most patients will support any company that can help them live better, longer lives. So if you’re a patient or caregiver (carer) wanting to help, perhaps it’s time to consider working more closely with pharma or even getting a job on the inside.

We’ve already seen scientists and doctors become CEO’s of major pharmaceutical companies – who will be the first epatient? I don’t think we are that far away and it will be a better industry for all when we get there.

TAGGED:patient engagementpharmaceutical
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
How Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health and Daily Life
Mental Health
June 18, 2025
healthcare facilities
Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
Global Healthcare Infographics
June 15, 2025

You Might also Like

physicians social media
eHealthHospital AdministrationMedical EthicsPolicy & LawSocial Media

JAMA Viewpoint Calls for Revising Physician Social Media Guidance

August 16, 2013

4 Tools for Hospitals to Measure Local Social Media Engagement

November 29, 2011
facebook f logo
Social Media

Facebook Fundamentals: Being “Social” Where It Counts

September 28, 2015
Use Social Media
Social Media

Five Reasons Why Physicians Need to Use Social Media

April 24, 2017
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?