PharmaTimes -
January/February 2019

Here’s to new beginnings and breaking new ground. I’m absolutely delighted to take on the role of editor of PharmaTimes, on both a personal and professional level. I’m particularly thrilled to take the helm at what is shaping up to be an incredibly exciting and innovative - albeit uncertain - era for industry, the NHS and patients.

Already there are big developments for 2019. In this issue, we take a look at what’s expected for the life sciences industry, with innovations in precision medicine, drug pricing pressures and new applications for artificial intelligence said to be key drivers of change (p26). Also of critical importance to pharma – can the new PPRS live up to its promises, particularly against the backdrop of an uncertain Brexit (p20)?

Our cover feature considers new opportunities for the industry to engage with patients meaningfully (p31); elsewhere we take a look at how the NHS is hoping to tackle disease with a greater focus on population health, and the place for pharma within this changing landscape (p16).

We also celebrate the first ever PharmaTimes Medical & Scientific Excellence Awards, a new event designed to highlight excellence within medical and scientific affairs (p34), as well as 25 years of the PharmaTimes Marketer of the Year competition and the return of the PharmaTimes Sales Awards (p36).

Congratulations to all finalists and winners and a huge thank you to our sponsors – the response to these events has been immense, highlighting the continued appetite to reward the incredible talent evident across all disciplines.

I hope you enjoy the issue!

January 2019 - magazine highlights

Putting health into the health service

Steve How and Paul Midgley explore how the NHS is tackling the rising tide of disease

The promise of the PPRS

A new pricing deal for the NHS should take the squeeze off new medicines, but is still vulnerable to Brexit risks.

The artificial pancreas: the panacea for patients with type I diabetes?

A fully-automated, wearable, ‘closed-loop’ artificial pancreas could revolutionise the management of type I diabetes.

2019 – what’s in store for the life sciences industry?

Veeva’s outlook on what we can expect from the sector this year.

Tackling the challenge

Patient support programmes have a lot to offer pharma, but companies face big challenges in ensuring that they provide accurate, relevant and consistent data that fulfills all regulatory obligations.

Centre of the pharmaverse

An all-encompassing digital era has opened unique opportunities for industry to engage with patients meaningfully, while also creating a modernised healthcare landscape which yields trust and cooperation. For the most impactful communicators the future is now...