McKesson Announces New Strategies for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

McKesson Corp. is announcing new solutions to help pharmaceutical manufacturers implement customized marketing strategies. Acording to the company, who is particiapting in the Retail Pharmacy Branded Pharmaceuticals Efficient Program Planning Session, can address awareness, launch, sales, adherence, and distribution goals at all stages of the product life cycle.

McKesson’s new manufacturer marketing solutions include RxBulletinSM and RxUpdateSM. RxBulletin, which will initially reach approximately 2500 pharmacists will help manufacturers increase pharmacists’ awareness of their products by communicating information about new product launches, discontinued items, and national drug code (NDC) number changes. RxUpdate helps manufacturers directly educate pharmacists about product information by delivering detailed clinical information from product experts on safe dispensing, patient counseling, and other clinical topics. RxUpdate will reach more than 5000 independent pharmacies via the McKesson ConnectSM communications portal for greater brand awareness, sales, and distribution.

“The launch of RxBulletin and RxUpdate underscores our dedication to delivering innovative marketing solutions that help pharmaceutical manufacturers implement the most effective strategies to increase product awareness and profitability throughout the entire product lifecycle,” said Brian Bertha, senior vice president of Marketing and Patient Relationship Solutions, McKesson U.S. Pharmaceutical. “In fact, our manufacturer marketing solutions portfolio is designed to address products at any stage of market planning, even in the earliest pre-launch discussions. McKesson’s growing portfolio is driven by our close partnership with pharmaceutical manufacturers, which ultimately drives new program opportunities, and creates the ability to expedite the communication of critical information to patients and pharmacists.”

McKesson offers customizable strategies for communications, promotion, distribution, packaging options, and targeted analytics of exclusive data. Solutions include:

· Pharmacy Stocking and Distribution: Programs target placement of the pharmaceutical manufacturer’s new blockbuster brands on the right pharmacy shelves so pharmacists are prepared to dispense them to patients immediately.

· Pharmacist Awareness: Programs give manufacturers more ways to build brand visibility by showing pharmacists how to recognize therapeutic needs supported by the brand and how to counsel patients on achieving the best results.

· Pharmacist Education: Programs build pharmacists’ knowledge about the brand’s attributes as well as safety and adherence issues, which can encourage pharmacists to recommend the brand and help patients achieve best results.

· Patient Awareness: Programs distinguish the value of the brand in retail pharmacies, building consumer education of its therapeutic benefits, which improves patient adherence.

· Patient Trial – New Rx: Programs target patients receiving initial prescriptions to help establish a brand relationship through education about ways to adhere to therapies and achieve positive treatment outcomes.

· Patient Adherence – Total Rx Long Term Solutions: Programs build lasting patient relationships, which drive adherence through co-pay subsidies. Targeted pharmacist counseling and direct-to-patient communications help foster patient satisfaction and support optimal treatment outcomes.