Summary

Ilisa Bernstein, a senior Vice President at the American Pharmacists Association, discusses the history and current landscape of drug importation policies with a focus on Florida's program.

Safety concerns, supply chain issues, and intellectual property rights are key considerations. The impact on the Canadian drug supply and the transparency of imported drugs for consumers are also discussed. Manufacturer concerns regarding rebates and discounts, as well as potential oversupply and export restrictions, are highlighted. The conversation explores the complexities and concerns surrounding drug importation programs. It discusses the mechanisms that manufacturers may use to control drug importation, such as restricting volume or increasing prices. The potential impact on the drug supply in Canada and the need for policies to protect it are also examined. The logistical challenges at the border and the vulnerabilities in the drug supply chain are highlighted. The importance of maintaining patient confidence in drug quality and the risks associated with personal drug importation are discussed. The conversation concludes by considering alternative solutions to lower drug prices and the inspiration drawn from historical figures.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction of Ilisa Bernstein

01:19 Background on Drug Importation

08:21 Safety Concerns

10:04 Supply Chain and Drug Source

14:58 Transparency and IP Issues

20:57 Consumer Transparency and NDC Numbers

21:10 Intellectual Property Concerns

22:59 Challenges and Points of Contention

25:12 Manufacturer Concerns: Rebates and Discounts

28:06 Oversupply and Export Restrictions

29:09 Mechanisms to Control Drug Importation

30:39 Policies to Protect Drug Supply in Canada

31:12 Logistical Challenges at the Border

33:07 Vulnerabilities in the Drug Supply Chain

35:03 Maintaining Patient Confidence in Drug Quality

36:31 Risks Before the Border

38:01 Complexities and Concerns for Community Pharmacists

41:31 The Future of Drug Importation Programs

44:00 The Motivation Behind Drug Importation Programs

46:01 Exploring Other Solutions to Lower Drug Prices

48:19 The Illegality of Personal Drug Importation

49:05 Balancing Cost Savings and Patient Safety

50:02 Inspiration from Historical Figures

Resources:

• Ilisa Bernstein

• American Pharmacists Association

• The Partnership for Safe Medicines

Summary

In this episode, Kristiaan Rawlings discusses the 2024-2025 Commercial Market Update and Salary Guide produced by EPM Scientific. The life sciences sector remains resilient due to aging populations, scientific advances, and robust investment. Hiring practices and compensation are influenced by these factors across the Americas, Europe, and APAC regions. The hiring focus has shifted from life-threatening diseases to more common health issues, such as dermatology and respiratory diseases. The most in-demand roles include marketing, commercial operations (salesforce effectiveness, commercial analytics, and training), and sales. Market access roles have seen less demand. Despite the availability of talent, salaries have remained high or even increased. In this conversation, Kristiaan Rawlings discusses the current trends in the life sciences job market, specifically in the commercial operations field. He explains the increase in demand for talent, the impact of title deflation, and the rise in salaries. He also highlights the regional differences in job opportunities, with a shift towards the East Coast of the United States. Additionally, he touches on the importance of executive presence and the return of in-person networking events. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the life sciences job market.

Chapters

00:00 High Demand for Marketing Roles

04:26 Focus on Core Areas with Existing Blockbuster Products

05:53 Sought-After Skills for Commercial Operations and Product Launches

13:54 Challenges with LinkedIn Applications and Fake Job Postings

24:25 Selective Market Based on Therapy Area and Experience

24:51 The Three Pillars of Focus: Salesforce Effectiveness, Commercial Analytics, and Training

25:21 High Demand for Talent in Incentive Compensation, Analytics, and Competitive Intelligence

26:17 Sales Roles in High Demand During Product Launches

26:46 Quiet Market in the Field of Market Access

27:14 Salaries Holding Strong or Increasing Despite High Supply of Talent

32:30 Geography Becoming Less of a Factor in Salary and Opportunity

41:08 High Demand for Medical Affairs and Health Economics

44:01 The Importance of Executive Presence and Networking for Career Success

Resources

• Kristiaan Rawlings - LinkedIn

• 2024/2025 EPM Commercial Update and Salary Guide

Summary

In this episode, hosts Ian Wendt and Dr. Na-Ri Oh , and guest Kira Dineen discuss the intersection of genomics and healthcare. They explore the concept of personalized medicine and how advancements in genomics are revolutionizing healthcare. Kira shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her DNA Today podcast. The conversation delves into the technology behind personalized medicine and the challenges of building comprehensive genetic databases. The ethical considerations of genomics, including access to information and the potential misuse of genetic data, are also explored. The episode concludes with a discussion on the need for ethical frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements in genomics. The conversation explores the controversial topic of gene editing, particularly the use of CRISPR technology. The hosts discuss the ethical considerations and the choice of genetic targets for editing. They also touch on the accessibility and long-term consequences of CRISPR. The conversation then shifts to the cost of treatment and the role of genetic testing in drug development. The potential of AI in genetic research is explored, as well as the future of personalized medicine. The episode concludes with a discussion on professional motivation and the importance of networking.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kira Dineen and the Intersection of Genomics and Healthcare

02:07 Genomics and Personalized Medicine

04:13 Kira Dineen's Personal Journey and the DNA Today Podcast

08:08 The Trend Towards Personalized Medicine in Biopharma

10:11 The Technology Behind Personalized Medicine

12:39 Building Databases and Overcoming Barriers

15:18 Ethical Considerations in Genomics

20:39 Ethics and the Use of Genetic Information

24:06 Ethics Keeping Pace with Technological Advances

25:44 Managing Ethical Considerations in Genetic Research

27:21 Controversial Gene Editing

28:18 Choosing Genetic Targets

29:10 Ethical Considerations

29:44 Accessibility of CRISPR

30:13 Long-Term Consequences of CRISPR

32:51 Healthcare Equity and Cost of Treatment

34:25 Cost of Genomic Sequencing

35:22 Genetic Testing and Drug Development

38:13 Role of Genetic Testing in Clinical Trials

42:20 AI in Genetic Research

46:34 Future of Personalized Medicine

49:56 Professional Motivation and Networking

Resources:

• Kira Dineen, MS, LCGC, CG(ASCP)CM (LInkedIn, Twitter)
• DNAtoday.com
• Breath from Salt (DNA Today author interview Episode #147)
• Maury Povich interview on DNA Today
• Patient Empowerment Program: A Rare Disease Podcast