Unlucky number 
Schering-Plough is under fire for its alleged “49 Plan,” a response to negative clinical trial information about Vytorin and Zetia.
By Joshua Slatko

Agencies honored
Top talent took home the gold at the 2008 Manny Awards, presented by Canon Communications Pharmaceutical Media Group and Med Ad News.
By Med Ad News Staff




Sales & Marketing
The Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed an amendment to a healthcare reform bill in progress that would ban all gifts of any value from pharmaceutical and medical device companies to healthcare practitioners.
By Joshua Slatko

Pharma Business
GlaxoSmithKline will acquire Sirtris Pharmaceuticals for about $720 million through a cash tender offer of $22.50 per share.
By Steven Niles

People on the Move
The position of chairman of the board of directors at Wyeth undergoes a succession as Robert Essner retires from the company. Bernard Poussot, president and CEO, assumes the additional position of chairman.
By Gina-Louise Monari

Adwise
Juice Pharma Advertising has bolstered the agency’s global offerings by partnering with the independent agency network Worldwide Partners.
By Gina-Louise Monari

e-marketing
Marketers need to evaluate their therapeutic area’s online search landscape so they can properly allocate resources toward strategic, non-branded, and branded search campaigns.
By Joshua Slatko

FDA Files
FDA has issued draft guidelines to aid the development, testing, and manufacture of coronary drug-eluting stents, devices used to treat blocked heart arteries.
By Steven Niles

Drug Approvals
FDA’s approval of UCB Pharma’s Cimzia expands options for treating moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease.
By Gina-Louise Monari

Four ways in
By using these four techniques, marketers can achieve an intimate understanding of how physicians think. By Leslie Rabin, director of account planning at AbelsonTaylor Inc. (abelsontaylor.com)

The mindset experts
Med Ad News spoke with Michael Kessler, M.D., president; and Mark Vitello, VP, program and business development, MD Mindset (mdmindset.com) to learn how a better understanding of doctors’ needs can lead to more effective use of sales reps and resources.