Best Practice Database: Complimentary Excerpt of Scientific Publications Stra...( CHAPEL HILL N.C. March 26 /- An a...),Health

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- An article this week in The Wall Street Journal said Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. kept a study of their blockbuster drug Vytorin under wraps for more than a year because of data concerns. The article went on to say the study - which found Vytorin was no better than a generic - has renewed concern over the practice of selective publication.

As the debate continues over how pharma companies manage the scientific publications process, organizations are adjusting their publication operations, according to research from benchmarking leader Best Practices, LLC. For instance, some companies have shifted their global publications functions out of commercial and into medical operations, according to the study.

The study, Scientific Publications Strategy: Managing Reputation, Clinical Trial Results, is available in the Best Practice Database, an online resource that contains more than $35 million in proprietary research conducted on behalf of executives from Fortune 500 companies.

A complimentary excerpt of the publications study is available at http://www.best-in-class.com/dr292.htm .

The study illustrates how pharmaceutical companies are following a publishing strategy that presents all study findings while still driving brand strength through commercially relevant publications. Publishing leaders from pharma and biotech companies can use this research to evaluate the resources and strategies of their publication operations.

Key topic areas covered in the study include:

-- Global Publications Structure and Functional Home (Medical vs.

Marketing)

-- Key Contributors and Stakeholders in Strategy Development and Plan

Delivery

-- Effective Publications Vehicles, Content and Audiences

-- Using Alternative Media

-- Planning for Neutral/Negative Results

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