INDUSTRYS EFFORTS - DEVICES AND PHARMACEUTICALS

The pharmaceutical industry has been irreversibly affected by the chan ges occurring in healthcare. Despite the obvious contributions of phar maceuticals to human health, our customers are demanding that we help the patient and contribute to value, whether it be in terms of cost, c linical outcomes, or quality of life. We are learning to balance the v ariables to ensure that cost plus quality equals value in the marketpl ace in three ways: by focusing on the needs of the customers and demon strating value through outcomes research, by maintaining an emphasis o n innovation, and by taking an active role in the public arena to dire ct the course of our future. Outcomes research proves the value of wha t we do. Economic data will have to be correlated with clinical data. In addition to standard clinical and economic parameters, we must also provide quality of life data. Collaboration between the academic and the practicing community produces a win-win situation for both parties . Industry and practitioners are bonded together ineluctably in the se rvice of the patient. Working together we can shape our future and the future of our patients.