P-D-R: information and knowledge management in international pharma industry

Recognizing the ever increasing involvement from US headquartered drugmakers and delegates, the Pharma Documentation Ring, a Europe-based association whose members represent the leading international R&D pharmaceutical companies, held its 49th annual general meeting in Philadelphia, USA.

Opening the proceedings, Henning Nielsen, president of the P-D-R and representing Novo Nordisk, highlighted the changes that are taking place in technology, in the information industry and in the pharmaceutical sector itself. He stated that, in the last few years, we have seen the emergence of Web 2.0, Web 3.0 and social computing, and he advised that a whole new generation of recruits can be anticipated, who are accustomed to working in virtual worlds and to interacting with colleagues via tools like "Facebook." There has also been continuing consolidation within the information industry, and a pharmaceutical industry coming to terms with fewer New Chemical Entities being approved each year by the regulatory authorities, expiry of patents on blockbusters and major products, and increased generic competition.

To maintain shareholder value, pharmaceutical companies have continued to engage in merger and acquisition activity, together with major reorganizations and streamlining of their operations, coupled to cost cutting and staff reductions, Mr Nielsen noted.