Evolving Commercial Operations in the COVID-19 Era
Transcript of Evolving Commercial Operations in the COVID-19 Era
Evolving Commercial Operations in the COVID-19 Era:
Long-term Change or Short-term Solutions?
Saul B. Helman, MD
Justin Zamirowski
Awet Gebrehiiwet-Wilder
Nisha Ninan
John Etchberger
April 21, 2020
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How will the current work environment shape future operations?
1. Evolving commercial operations and decisions in the face of a virtual work
arrangement
2. Maintaining an engaged field force with new and creative activities
1. Ongoing compliance consideration to ensure high standards of ethics are
followed across these new activities
Has your organization taken any of the actions below in
light of the COVID-19 pandemic?
(select all that apply)
• We have delayed a product launch
• We have adjusted our marketing mix and moved to a more digital /
non-personal approach
• We have down-sized our field force
• We have trained our field force remotely / virtually
• We have already done one or more of the above before the pandemic
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Polling Question
[Optional presentation title] 4
Poling Question - Results
The Guidehouse launch excellence team was established in 2011, providing integrated solutions for companies seeking to launch products
Guidehouse Launch
50+Experienced members on
our dedicated, global launch
excellence team
35+Clients engaged across Big
Pharma, Specialty, MedTech,
and BioTech
59Product launches have been
supported over the last 3
years
~25In-line brands currently being
supported by the team
>40Countries of experience,
providing a global perspective
Large~40%
Mid-Sized~26%
Small~34%
Overall Launch Client Mix
(2017-2019)
Sources: 1. STIFEL Weekly Prescription Tracker for Week Ended March 20, 2020; 2. Hynes’ Healthcare Insights March 20, 2020; 3. Hynes’ Healthcare Insights April 6, 2020 6
COVID-19 is disrupting multiple pharma-related industries
COVID-19 Impact Overview
• Pharma companies with upcoming product launches are shifting launches to a
virtual setting or to a later date
• Uncertainly exists with recently launched products and their ability to achieve
short term projected sales targets
• Early in the COVID-19 environment, prescription trends initially have been positively
impacted by an increase in mail order and 90-day prescription fulfillment but overall
recent weeks have show a slight downturn in TRx and NRx 1,2,3
• Healthcare providers are experiencing availability limitations due to closed offices
and shift towards treatment of COVID-related cases
• HCP administered medications may have challenges with utilization due to lack
of access / availability of staff and elective procedures
• Business and personal travel are being restricted due to social distancing policies
• While urgent patients still have access to personal care, non-urgent patients
will largely resort to virtual visits via telehealth where available
COVID-19 is expected to have long-term impacts on the pharma environment,
even after the public health crisis is over and business resumes normal operations
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Guidehouse has observed common operational challenges faced by pharma manufacturers stemming from the impact of COVID-19
Marketing
• Decreased in-person HCP interactions has eliminated need for printed promotional materials, increased
importance of non personal promotions and remote sampling capabilities
• Shift to virtual engagement has increased the need for more digital content and use of newer platforms (e.g.
Zoom, Veeva Engage,…)
• Challenges in obtaining direct HCP interactions drives the need to shift to non-personal promotion-based
strategies
Field-based Roles (Sales, Medical Affairs &
Market Access)
• Due to social distancing restrictions, in-person launch meetings are delayed or moved onto virtual platforms
• Reduced face-to-face access to target accounts drive rep engagement onto online platforms & remote
delivery of lunch and learns
• Due to shifts in provider availability and experience in telehealth capabilities, the current target mix is
dynamic
• Patients’ travel restrictions limit the providers’ ability to distribute samples and administer therapies, thus
requiring alternative free trial options and different approaches to administration of drugs
• Recession is putting pressure on affordability increasing the need for enhanced patient support services
Supply Chain &
Distribution
• Dynamic shift in demand of frequently prescribed therapeutics may lead to product shortages
• Stay-at-home orders drive patients to order from mail order pharmacies rather than brick-and-motors stores
• A prolonged shutdown may strain manufacturing capabilities and product reserves increasing the risk of
experiencing COVID-related interruptions
Guidehouse has been directly engaged with clients to help them navigate several COVID-19 challenges
Guidehouse AdBoard provides
insights to high-priority business
questions from key stakeholders
Our Remote Engagement Solutions
provide a suite of technology-
enabled products to support HCPs,
patients, and providers
Guidehouse Targeting Platform
leverages machine learning to
identify optimal HCP targets
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Commercializing in an Evolving ClimateCreating an in-person experience without extensive travel
National or Regional Meetings
• Traditional model where reps are out of
the field and spend time and resources
traveling to the meeting location
• Highest touch / level of engagement
• Most expensive option ($$$)
Live Broadcast Production
• Off-site studio production
• Limited studio audience
• Real-time, at home engagements
(quizzes, polls, etc.)
• $MM potential savings versus in-person
National Meetings ($$)
Virtual Experience
• Full virtual meeting; all participants
and hosts are at home
• Real-time, at home engagements
(quizzes, polls, etc.)
• Lowest engagement level
• Most cost-effective option ($)
Sales Representative
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Continuing Engagement
• At home efforts to maintain
training and enhance skills
• Virtualize sales materials
• Gamify educational materials
• Use of virtual meeting tools –
Veeva CRM Engage Meeting
Physician
• Certain specialties may have
capacity to focus on CME
• Virtual conference
attendance (ACC, ACSO)
• Market Research
• Virtual speaker programs
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Area of Focus Challenge
Call Documentation
Recording or monitoring HCP
conversations
Data Privacy HCP Access and Consent
Communication Plan Fair Balance, ISI, Medical Info Request
Sample Distribution HCP Access and Authorization
Provision of Meals Kick Back, Transparency
Patient Support Services High Risk Disease States
Sales Representative Interactions Conduct effected by Goal Attainment
Challenges to Assess & Controls to Review
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Field Force Interactions Guidance – Reminders and Considerations
• Communication must
contain a balanced
depiction of efficacy and
safety.
• Never combine scientific
calls by Medical Personnel
with promotional calls
by Commercial Personnel
• Always direct off-label
inquiries and unsolicited
requests to Medical Affairs,
and never respond to off-
label inquiries outside
authorized Medical Affairs
or Clinical channels
• Do not include personal
opinions when
communicating approved
materials to HCPs
• Interact with HCPs to
enhance patient care and
safety
• Never solicit off-label
inquires
• Never offer or provide
anything that can easily be
misunderstood as being
given with improper
intentions
• When discussing an
approved company
product, always provide
fair, balanced, non-
misleading, and factual
information from the PI.
• Respect the relationships
between HCPs and their
patients
• Limit inconvenience to
HCPs’ daily professional
responsibilities
• Never offer anything of
value to HCP or their
employees to influence their
medical judgement or
their purchasing practice
• Provide continued support
of HCPs and Patients
through medical and
consumer education,
resource facilitation and
medical samples.
• Engage in proactive on-
label discussions with
HCPs utilizing
company approved
promotional materials
• Never disguise promotion
• Only distribute promotional
materials to persons you
can reasonably assume to
be in need of such
information or involved in
patient care
• Only use materials
approved by the
company when interacting
with HCPs, and never use
expired or altered
promotional materials.
• Respect Data Privacy Laws
and comply with all HIPAA
rules. We will not
compromise or solict patient
information.
• Always make clear to your
audience which company
you represent and what
your role is.
• Only provide advanced
notification of new potential
products to those
responsible for making
policy decisions and not
those expected to prescribe
through your access and
reimbursement teams.
• Never promote before the
company product has
received market approval
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• Leverage virtual tools such as phone
calls, WebEx, Skype, or Veeva Exchange
to engage with external stakeholders,
ensuring you adhere to the rules of
scientific exchange
• Be sure to adhere to your company's
social media policy and any other
policies and SOPs related to virtual
interactions and scientific exchange
• Especially when interacting virtually, be
sure to make clear to your audience
which company you represent and your
role at the company
• This is a good time to closely partner with
your company's Medical Information
team to ensure healthcare providers
continue to receive the medical
information they need
• Also stay coordinated with your partners
on the sales team – for example, share
any knowledge about the situation of the
healthcare systems in your territory
• Utilize various departments and
aggregate data collected to increase
visibility into potential high risk activities:
• Human Resources
• IT
• Legal
• Internal Audit
• Leverage available data: Hotline reports
• Previous audit & monitoring findings
Resources to Leverage
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How will life after this phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic
alter the commercial model going forward?
Employee testing for
returning to work
Greater demand for
virtual meetings
Continued social distancing
Limited access to
healthcare facilities for non essential
personnel
Increased planning, safety
stocks and alternative suppliers to defend
supply chain from prolonged disruptions
Immediate policy changes
New credentialing requirements
[Optional presentation title] 15
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Contact
©2020 Guidehouse Inc. All rights reserved. This content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
Saul B. Helman, MD
Partner
Global Leader - Life Sciences Compliance, Regulatory, Market Access
and International
317.294.1228
Awet Gebrehiiwet-Wilder
Associate Director
Life Sciences - Governance, Risk Management and Compliance
213.670.3272
Justin Zamirowski
Director
Life Sciences – Launch Excellence Lead
609.896.4055
John Etchberger
Director
Life Sciences – Commercial Strategy
609.219.8721
Nisha Ninan
Managing Consultant
Life Sciences
215.832.4433