In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Paul Howe, COO at Protega Pharmaceuticals, about the current and evolving landscape of prescription opioids, abuse deterrent technologies, and the role of technology in public health.

They discuss new strategies to improve outcomes for chronic pain patients while reducing addiction risks.

• Introduction and startling data on prescription abuse
• Welcome and guest introduction
• Paul Howe's breakfast routine
• Career background and current role
• Challenges with opioid prescriptions
• Risk stratification and mitigation for patients
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing quotas and regulation
• Future outlook for pain management and public health

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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Bursting the Medical Affairs Bubble: A Conversation on Cross-Functional Collaboration

In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey talks with Dr. Samin Saeed, a pharmaceutical medical affairs leader with 17 years of industry experience currently at GSK. They discuss the need for medical affairs to move beyond speaking only to themselves and to engage more openly with other functions within pharmaceutical organizations. Dr. Saeed advocates for a collaborative approach and shares her insights on fostering better communication and understanding between medical affairs and commercial teams. The conversation also touches on the role of technology and AI, and the ongoing challenge of balancing strategic goals with organizational pressures.

00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome
00:34 Guest Introduction: Dr. Sameen Saeed
00:52 Bursting the Med Affairs Bubble
01:14 The Value of Medical Affairs
02:33 Challenges in Medical Affairs
05:32 Collaboration and Cross-Functional Teams
15:46 The Role of Technology in Pharma
20:13 Ideal Medical Affairs Scenario
25:06 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

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In this episode of Pharma Sessions, host Jonathan Kaskey sits down with Steve Cirillo-Thompson, a seasoned Chief of Staff in the pharmaceutical industry, to delve deep into the unique and often misunderstood role of a Chief of Staff. Steve shares his unconventional journey into the medical affairs space, transitioning from political science to consulting, and eventually stepping into various Chief of Staff roles at some of the leading pharmaceutical companies like Shire, Takeda, Abbvie and Kite Pharma.

Timestamped Key Points:

- 00:02: Introduction to the episode and guest, Steve Cirillo-Thompson.
- 00:37: Steve discusses his unconventional background, transitioning from political science to consulting.
- 03:12: The move from consulting to industry and the personal career decision behind it.
- 06:45: An overview of Steve's roles at Shire, Takeda, and the integration process.
- 10:22: Definition and importance of the Chief of Staff role in the pharmaceutical industry.
- 12:56: Discussion on the growing prevalence of Chief of Staff roles beyond the C-suite.
- 15:43: Benefits of having a Chief of Staff to remove silos and be a change champion.
- 18:32: Managing the relationship with the principal and establishing trust.
- 21:05: Emotional intelligence and delivering bad news in a high-stress environment.
- 23:18: Hard skills versus soft skills in the Chief of Staff role.
- 26:53: Insights from the Shire and Takeda integration project.
- 30:14: Overcoming imposter syndrome and managing a newly elevated role.
- 34:40: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Chief of Staff role.
- 36:18: Applying the Chief of Staff skillset across different industries.
- 39:45: The importance of versatility and adaptability in multiple roles.

Jonathan and Steve discuss the importance of emotional intelligence, adaptability, and the ability to manage high-stress relationships with top-level executives. They explore the value a Chief of Staff brings in breaking down silos within an organization, acting as a change champion, and enhancing cross-functional communication and coordination. Steve emphasizes the skillset required for the role, balancing hard operational skills with soft skills like empathy and strategic thinking.

Steve provides insights into the challenges and rewards of the Chief of Staff role, sharing examples from his career, including navigating company integrations and managing cultural shifts within organizations. He also highlights the growing prevalence of Chief of Staff roles in the pharma industry and their critical importance in today's fast-evolving landscape.

Join us for an enlightening conversation filled with practical advice and real-world experiences that can inspire and inform anyone interested in the Chief of Staff role or the pharmaceutical industry at large.

Pharma Sessions is hosted by Jonathan Kaskey

Follow along on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonkaskey/

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www.pharmasessions.substack.com