Digital Pharma: Novartis’ transplant community
pharmafile | March 19, 2010 | News story | Medical Communications |Â Â Novartis, PatientsLikeMe, community, digital pharma, digital pharma research, patient informationÂ
Novartis has become the second pharma company to partner with PatientsLikeMe on an online community, working with the site on a section for people who have received organ transplants.
It follows in the footsteps of UCB, which established the first pharma-sponsored patient community on the site last month in epilepsy.
Novartis’ transplant community will allow patients to monitor and share their progress and address common post-transplant issues, such as concerns about organ rejection or adherence to medication.
Novartis chief executive Joe Jimenez said: “We need to be closer to patients to understand their experience and their needs. An online experience allows patients to open up and share in a more personal and frank way.
“Our commitment to supporting this transplant community will shape the way we do our work, and ultimately help improve transplant patient outcomes now and in the future.”
The company last month partnered with PatientsLikeMe to launch a mentoring programme for multiple sclerosis patients, and this will be expanded to its transplant community in April.
PatientsLikeMe Mentors allows patients to create one-on-one relationships to share best practices and answer common questions about their treatment.
Another new programme, PatientsLikeMe In Motion, will encourage community members to share more data on their condition in return for sponsorship for their fundraising events.
The initiative is solely supported by PatientsLikeMe, which will make donations on behalf of patients to non-profit organisations of their choice.
Dominic Tyer is web editor for Pharmafocus and InPharm.com and the author of the Digital Pharma blog He can be contacted via email, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Related Content
Novartis receives SMC approval for early breast cancer treatment
Novartis has announced that its treatment for early breast cancer, Kisqali (ribociclib), has received approval …
Novartis candidate for Sjögren’s disease presents positive results
Novartis has reported positive results from two phase 3 clinical trials – NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2 …
First malaria medicine for infants under 4.5kg receives approval
Coartem (artemether-lumefantrine) Baby, or Riamet, has been approved by Swissmedic as the first malaria medicine …
