PM Society Forms Digital Marketing Working Group

Following feedback from our members, the level of interest at our ABPI Code of Practice Workshops and discussions with the PMCPA, the PM Society has formed an industry working group to look at working with digital marketing in the pharmaceutical arena. The rationale behind this is that many people seem to be unclear as to what can and cannot be done in terms of advertising and communication using digital tools within existing UK and EU regulations.

The output of the PM Society Digital Marketing Working Group will hopefully lead to clearer guidance on what can be done in terms of digital marketing in the UK pharmaceutical arena.  The report will be submitted to the PMCPA for consideration regarding possible changes to the ABPI Code. It should be noted that proposals for changes to the ABPI Code will of course have to be consistent with UK law.

The PM Society Digital Marketing Working Group is made up of representatives of pharma companies and agencies and is under the umbrella of the PM Society as we have no commercial bias and therefore can operate in a completely independent capacity. The project leader is Steven Gray, a recognised compliance expert with a strong marketing background, Steve has recently become a member of the PM Society Committee.

It is anticipated that the group will discuss a number of topics including:

• Proactive and reactive communication
• Utilising blogs or Twitter
• E-mail permissions - how to secure & store
• On-line logistics management sites (e.g. meetings)
• Webcasts
• RSS & news feeds - provision & sponsorship
• Patient adherence/support programmes

Timeline for completion - end of November 2009

If you would like to contribute to the PM Society Digital Marketing Working Group please contact Steve Gray at steven@stevengrayconsulting.co.uk