The Role of the Innovation-Based Pharmaceutical Industry in International Drug Information Communication

The ultimate responsibility and social contribution of the innovation-based pharmaceutical industry is to discover, develop, and provide products that contribute to improved health care. Achievement of this objective is dependent upon effective communication of accurate and comprehensive information about our products. This is a unique role which the research-based segment of the industry performs well and must be allowed to continue to perform. Although the ultimate objective of improved health care is a constant, the effective communication of product information is affected by a variety of factors which represent change or evolution. The discussion of drug information will review: the various forms that such information takes; the effects of differences in national health systems and objectives; and the implications of the fact that product data bases continue to develop after introductions. The system and experience at The Upjohn Company, while not necessarily applicable for all companies, will be discussed briefly as useful examples of a working, effective process.