Pharma Marketing 2020: Drivers of change

How can pharma marketing effectively meet future communication challenges in a rapidly changing market place?

A shift in therapy decision making, the need for evidence to support brands and more informed patients are presenting diverse challenges for pharma marketing.  What are the major communication pressures going forward? Is digital technology really the panacea for marketing communication? How should marketing teams be organised and outcomes assessed? Between the sales, medical and market access functions, what role can – or should - marketing play in the future?

Pharma Marketing 2020: Drivers of change analyses the operational challenges marketers face and examines solutions that will underpin solid, integrated marketing strategies. The report draws on the detailed and incisive insights of 7 marketing professionals working in leading companies in Europe and the US. This report identifies the issues that pharma marketers must address now!

“Probably the singular most significant change in terms of driving the marketing role is the ever-increasing focus on the value proposition of the drug.”

• Understand the fundamental pharma market developments that are challenging current marketing practice and driving change
• Develop strategies and tactics which support value-based propositions for your brands to health payers and other stakeholders
• Assess the benefits and limitations of digital marketing and identify where it fits best into the marketing mix 
• Appreciate the growing influence of patients and develop marketing strategies that meet their needs
• Critically appraise current data collection and analysis to ensure it provides on-target decision support knowledge
• Support customer facing colleagues with specific and appropriate messages and marketing collateral
• Know where specialty marketing will sit within the cross functional team and address the necessary organisational changes

• Who are the pharmaceutical industry’s customers?  The influence of physicians – at one time the gold standard contact – is waning with payers and medicines managers now in the decision making driving seat
• The demise of the customer facing rep has long been forecast, but nothing can replace the value of personal interaction.  Digital communications will play an increasing role in extending and expanding the scope and value of customer facing staff  
• There has been a rush to develop digital communications, but much of it has failed to either engage the audience or deliver the right content.  Getting this right will be critical going forward
• There is a marked difference in patient attitudes and knowledge between patients in the US and Europe – what lessons are there for marketers?
• Meeting the needs of multiple stakeholders via multi-channel communication when much traditional marketing spend has been reallocated –  can it be done? 
• Valuable local knowledge is being lost with the centralisation of marketing strategy and planning