Pharma Collaboration for Transparent Medical Information (phactMI™) Benchmark Study: Trends, Drivers, and Value of Product Support Activities, Key Performance Indicators, and Other Medical Information Services: Insights from a Survey of 27 US Pharmaceutical Medical Information Departments

Abstract

Background

A benchmarking survey was conducted by the pharmaceutical collaboration for transparent Medical Information (phactMI™) consortium, with the goal to capture insights from the 27 member companies and their medical information organizations.

Methods

phactMI™ Benchmarking Committee delivered an electronic survey to 27 United States (US) member companies’ Medical Information (MI) departments between December 12, 2017 and February 20, 2018. The survey consisted of approximately 300 questions, divided into 9 topics which included multiple choice and open-ended questions about the following categories: medical information support provided based on different product lifecycles, key metrics measured to assess department performance, and other key services provided by medical information groups.

Results

The extent of MI product support varied across the lifecycle of a product. Most companies provided MI product support throughout the product lifecycle starting from investigational all the way through mature; however, the extent of activities varied. The top key performance indicators (KPIs) that were reported to senior leadership included response turnaround time (59%) and inquiry volume (48%). Among the 27 companies, 85% noted using customer satisfaction surveys administered via links within written response documents and 52% verbally via the company's call center. Other services with which MI groups noted most involvement included congress booth support (100%), insights/metric reporting (96%), and training the sales force on the MI function (74%). Additional services included payor support clinical pathway submissions (22%), presenting at advisory boards (22%), and competitive intelligence (26%).

Conclusion

The results of this survey provide pharmaceutical MI groups with opportunities to consider services or activities that could enhance the support these groups provide to their customers and business partners.