KOLs

2021 ◽  
pp. 139-162
Author(s):  
Edward Shorter

This chapter considers the physicians who advised the pharmaceutical industry in the interest of bringing an effective compound to the attention of the profession. It mentions Roland Kuhn, the Swiss asylum psychiatrist who in 1957 discovered the effectiveness of imipramine in depression and advised about marketing strategies to use to sell the drug. It also highlights the true nature of the testimonials of physicians, which is well known to the industry. The industry’s contempt for them is shown by its vernacular term for sources, which are called “stables.” The chapter focuses on the “stables” of the 1980s that later became Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). It points out that the sardonic term KOL first appeared in industry correspondence as an insider expression for academics.

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 482-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Sismondo

Roughly 40% of the sizeable medical research and literature on recently approved drugs is “ghost managed” by the pharmaceutical industry and its agents. Research is performed and articles are written by companies and their agents, though apparently independent academics serve as authors on the publications. Similarly, the industry hires academic scientists, termed key opinion leaders, to serve as its speakers and to deliver its continuing medical education courses. In the ghost management of knowledge, and its dissemination through key opinion leaders, we see the pharmaceutical industry attempting to hide or disguise the interests behind its research and education.


2021 ◽  
pp. 089719002098713
Author(s):  
Samantha Miernicki ◽  
Gregory Anagnostos ◽  
Joseph P. Nathan ◽  
Sara Grossman

Medical communications (MedComms) agencies serve the varied needs of the pharmaceutical industry and other healthcare-related organizations. These agencies present a unique practice opportunity for pharmacists who possess the requisite knowledge and skillset to flourish and grow professionally in this environment. Published information about this sector of the industry is limited. To this end, this article provides an overview of the MedComms agency setting and describes the services provided by such agencies. These include the development of branded and/or unbranded communications materials in the form of publications, oral and video presentations, slide decks, and other materials. MedComms professionals also facilitate and support professional meetings and presentations, such as congresses, symposia, and advisory boards. Other services that MedComms agencies provide include engaging key opinion leaders, providing clinical trial services, and brand identification or positioning. The article describes the opportunities for pharmacists in this field, key characteristics and skills needed to succeed in this industry, and the pathway for pharmacists to enter this field.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 717-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Zhonglei Gu ◽  
Tobey H. Ko ◽  
Jiming Liu

BMJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. k5207
Author(s):  
Adam Hartley ◽  
Mit Shah ◽  
Alexandra N Nowbar ◽  
Christopher Rajkumar ◽  
James P Howard ◽  
...  

BMJ ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 336 (7658) ◽  
pp. 1405-1405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni A Fava

2003 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Sweet

The media are often not rigorous in their coverage of health and medical issues, and have a tendency towards uncritical amplification of the claims of researchers, doctors and others, including commercial interests. Many journalists are not skilled at evaluating studies and research claims, and news values tend to be driven by factors other than the validity of research evidence. Media coverage of medicines tends to be overly promotional, highlighting the positives and often failing to mention the negatives. Media and public relations activities are a high priority in pharmaceutical industry marketing strategies. Tactics include: using medical opinion leaders and experts to raise awareness of diseases or treatments; generation of ‘new’ medical conditions to expand product markets; sponsorship of conferences; and even funding of journalism prizes. Critical reporting of health, medical and scientific issues could be promoted through appropriate education and workplace training.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Figlin

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fundamental disparities in the provision of health care across our nation and exacerbated the differences in health outcomes associated with race, socioeconomic and other demographic factors. A silver lining however is that pandemic precarity has inspired tremendous scientific collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and key opinion leaders. In this line, this year’s Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO21) which was kicked off virtually on June 4 through June 8, not only celebrated latest breakthroughs in cancer research, treatment and patient care, but also focused on health equity in cancer care. ASCO21’s fitting theme - Health equity “doing right by the patients for whom we care” reflected addressing complex forces and systems that have created disparities in cancer care, treatment, and research and identifying ways to ensure that all patients have access to and benefit from the latest cancer advances and high-quality cancer care.


Author(s):  
Joel Paris

Psychiatry has embraced overdiagnosis both because it does not understand the causes of mental disorders and because clinicians are keen to use the tools they already have for treatment. These trends have most notable effects on the overprescription of antidepressant drugs. Overdiagnosis has also infiltrated psychiatric epidemiology, since most studies are DSM-based. All these factors have supported diagnostic epidemics, in which identification of certain categories increases dramatically over relatively brief periods of time. When drugs are believed to be the main form of treatment, these trends have been further encouraged by the pharmaceutical industry, and by opinion leaders who are sponsored by Big Pharma.


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