UK An unusual characteristic of the UK’s healthcare landscape is that charities fund the vast majority of medical research.  According to the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), in 2017, 8 million people donated to medical research charities which funded £1.6bn in research and accounted for 47% of all publicly-funded medical research in…

UK The two Big Pharma giants today announced the merger between their consumer healthcare businesses, with the joint venture (JV) set to become the global market leader in over-the-counter (OTC) products with a market share of 7.3 percent.   This move will see GSK effectively split into two separate businesses –…

Spain Spain’s biotech scene is on the rise. In 2016 alone, the nation had a total of 651 biotech companies, with a total of 33 commencing operations in 2017. Despite these quite modest numbers in comparison to more well-established global biotech hubs, they have been accompanied by some extremely encouraging exits.…

France   LEEM – Les Entreprises du Médicament (Drug Companies)   Key people: Philippe Tcheng, President Philippe Lamoureux, Director LEEM is the French industry association which represents drug companies operating in France and is the most powerful professional organization of drug companies operating in the country. They represent more than 260 member companies,…

France ANSM – Agence Nationale de Sécurité des Médicaments et des Produits de Santé (National Agency for the Safety of Drugs and Health Products)   Key People: Dominique Martin, CEO The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) was created by the government in 2011 for strengthening the safety of…

Spain A new study shows that the Spanish population is unclear on the meaning of self-care and often seeks a second opinion online post-visiting the doctor.   Although 82.7% of Spaniards go to their family doctor when they need to ask about self-care, 49.2% admit that they find a contrasting diagnosis…

France INCa – Institut National du Cancer (The National Cancer Institute)       The National Cancer Institute (INCa) is the state agency of health and scientific expertise in oncology in charge of coordinating actions to fight against cancer. Created by the public health law of August 9, 2004, it is placed…

France DSS Direction de la Sécurité (Department of Social Security)   Key People: Director General Mathilde Lignot-Leloup The Directorate of Social Security (DSS) supervises all social security organizations: general scheme funds, basic scheme funds of independent professions other than agricultural, or special schemes funds. It also participates in the supervision of complementary…

France Commission des Affaires Sociales de l’Assemblée Nationale (Commission of Social Affairs, National Assembly)   Key People: Brigitte Bourguignon, Chairwoman Olivier Véran, General Reporter The Social Affairs Committee of the National Assembly is one of the eight standing committees of the French National Assembly. The areas of competence of the Social Affairs Committee are…

France PharmaBoardroom’s list of personalities whose voices, opinions and decisions matter in French pharma’s industry, regulatory affairs, reimbursement and pricing.   Maurice-Pierre Planel — President of CEPS Maurice-Pierre Planel Has been heading the Economic Committee of Health Products (CEPS) since December 2015.   CEPS contributes to the development of pharmaceutical policy, implements…

Opinion Ian Chamberlain looks at the changing role of the pharma sales manager and the skills needed to keep up with new tech and the next generation of millennial sales reps. With more than 25 years pharmaceutical industry experience, Ian  provides training to help pharma salespeople talk to their customers. The best…

Spain According to a survey carried out by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) over half of the Spanish population believe Pseudo-therapies to be of real value.   “Public and private establishments that include pseudo-therapies will not be able to call themselves health centres,” Health Minister Maria Luisa Carcedo…