Marketing Tools
New Compliance Program Puts Hepatitis Patients 'In Charge'
Schering Oncology/Biotech (Kenilworth, N.J.) is targeting chronic hepatitis B and C patients on its Intron A prescription drug therapy with a new compliance/comprehensive program called "Be In Charge," launched earlier this month.
Public awareness of and educational efforts about risk factors, symptoms and treatment options for chronic hepatitis B and C sufferers-which afflicts six million Americans, according to the CDC-are minimal, despite the recent focus on the virus. For hepatitis C alone, only 150,000 acute cases are diagnosed annually.
Designed to supplement physicians' counsel and in-office support of Intron A treatment, the Be In Charge program offers patients side-effect management assistance, additional therapy compliance tools and overall help in coping with key psychosexual issues associated with the virus.
The program's educational resources include a toll-free support help line (888-HEP-2608) and informational Web site (http://www.beincharge.com) and also feature:
- "Be In Charge: A Guide to Living with Chronic Hepatitis B and C," an interactive workbook that provides practical information on the medical, financial, family and psychosexual implications of the virus.
- A comprehensive patient therapy binder that provides informational sheets on the benefits of Intron A treatment and patient quality of life while on therapy.
- "Leading the Charge," a bimonthly newsletter that focuses on family, social and health-related issues.
- Countdown Calendars to help patients track injections and reinforce therapy behavior.
- Coaching booklets that patients can give to their family, friends and coworkers covering hepatitis B and C, treatment issues and helpful tips. (Schering-Plough, 973/359-3253)
New Directory Provides Prospecting Info for Fla. Market
For providers and insurance brokers looking to target the Florida market with health plan coverage, Judy Diamond Associates (JDA) of Washington, D.C., has published a new directory of 7,000 small employers and their health plans that can be used as a vital prospecting tool. Covering Tampa, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando and Jacksonville, the directory includes the number of employees, the employer's healthcare provider, the renewal date, the employer's health insurance agent/broker of record, plan types and which employers' plans feature dental and vision coverage.
For competing plan providers, and supplemental dental and vision care plans the directory is considered a must-have, according to Judy Diamond, president of JDA. The Florida directory is intended to be the first of a series (Florida was selected as a test state because many of its areas are considered "hot" managed care markets). The statewide listings are available in directory format for $2,940 or on disk for $3,420. (JDA, 202/728-0840)
New Wireless Channel Pushes News Alerts to Busy Docs
AirMedia, a Newport, Calif.-based Internet software and server provider, is targeting busy doctors with its newly launched Healthcare Channel, a wireless information delivery service that will provide up-to-the-minute pharmaceutical news. Instant wireless news alerts on FDA approvals, new product announcements, product bulletins and clinical study data will be broadcast 24 hours a day via home, office or mobile computing devices.
In addition to pharmaceutical updates, doctors will also receive breaking medical news from leading professional journals. Healthcare Channel information is sent directly to physician PCs without them having to search the Internet or set up complicated computer hardware and software. Depending on the number of users, the broadcast service costs $10 to $14.95/month, according to Sandra Sick, AirMedia's spokesperson. (AirMedia (http://www.airmedia.com); 800/247-6334)
Publishing Ventures
New Health Magazine Targets Community Center Directors
Honing in on the $14 billion community health center industry, Community HealthCenter Management magazine was launched last month as the first national magazine focusing on the executive issues of community health center directors.
Currently more than 43 million low- and middle-income Americans utilize the primary care services provided by community health centers.
Targeting executive directors, financial officers, medical directors and others responsible for community health center management, the new bi-monthly magazine, based in San Francisco, will feature stories on managed care, telemedicine, new products and technology and marketing.
The November/December issue covers "What Impact are School-Based Health Centers Making" and "Dealing with the Homeless in Your Practice." To receive a free subscription, contact CHM at 415/905-4624.
Awards/Recognition
Kraus Named PR Professional of the Year
PR News, a weekly industry newsletter covering the PR industry and sister publication of HPRMN, named Margery Kraus, president/CEO of Washington, D.C.-based APCO Associates, PR Professional of the Year, earlier this month. After tallying several industry votes via fax, email and voicemail, Kraus's PR expertise and career flair won a collective industry thumbs up.
After making her mark in education and fundraising for the nonprofit Close Up Foundation, Kraus was recruited by the law firm of Arnold & Porter to start APCO in 1984. As a member of the Grey Advertising family of companies, APCO concentrates on public affairs, government relations, healthcare, strategic communications and international business. (APCO; 202/778-1000)