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Not too long ago, the mere mention of the word “vaccine” caused most big pharma executives to break out into a cold sweat. Once derided as low margin products and potential market busters—once most populations are immunized the incidence of disease declines and the market begins to falter—vaccines, primarily pediatric ones, have made a huge comeback over the last five years. 

One of the main reasons for the resurgence of the vaccine industry, was passage of US legislation that better-defined the legal obligations of vaccine makers and inclusion in the legislation of provisions that cap the size of awards made to persons claiming injury after vaccination. Another factor that contributed to the growing popularity of vaccines was emergence of the middle class in vast and concomitant improves in the healthcare systems of emerging markets that include South America, Asia and Africa. Unlike the mature vaccine markets in the US, Europe and Japan (because of low birthrates), the Asian, Latin American and African markets are poised for explosive growth over the next two decades.

In a recent article entitled “Vaccines-The Sustainable Blockbuster Business” Frost and Sullivan’s Senior Healthcare Analyst Barath Shankar Subramanian provides some interesting and insightful factoids about the vaccine industry. They are:

Pediatric vaccines are leading adult vaccines and represent the fastest growing segment of the global vaccine market

Europe is the world’s leading vaccine producer with over 90% of total production

The top five vaccine manufacturers (all big pharma companies) produce more than four-fifths of global vaccine revenues while other manufacturers (approximately 40) account for only one-fifth.

The North American market accounts for over 50 percent of the total spend on vaccines

North America and Europe supply only 14 percent of the world’s vaccine demand; the rest is met by suppliers in developing markets

Government investment, not-for-profit spending and industry alliances/ partnerships, in addition to private R&D spending, are helping to drive the current resurgence of the global vaccine industry

At present, there no fewer than 80 new candidates in late stage clinical development. Further, almost 40 per cent of the new vaccine candidates are for indications that currently have no vaccines on the market.  Finally, improvements in vaccine delivery are helping to drive the improved uptake of vaccines. For example, aerosols, transdermal skin patches, oral drops and even pills—all designed to eliminate needles and improve patient compliance and overcome cold chain supply issues are currently being developed.

From a business perspective—as far as sustainable markets go—the pediatric segment of the vaccine market is a clear winner. Currently, the leading global causes of vaccine-preventable, deaths for children under five include: pneumococcal disease, rotavirus, measles, Hemophilus influenzae b (Hib) infections, pertussis and tetanus. To that end, it is likely that governments in emerging markets will continue to add existing and new vaccines to government-mandated immunization programs. This is almost certain to propel the vaccine market to new heights over the next 10 years or more.

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting (think biologics!)

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Johnson & Johnson is arguably one of the world leaders in bringing social media to the pharmaceutical industry. Marc Monseau and his dedicated team oversee a network of blogs, video channels and Twitter feeds while some of J&J’s brand companies even sponsor patient advocacy communities like ADHD Moms and ADHD Allies. However, the company’s recent handling of manufacturing problems and recall of Tylenol and other pediatric medicines seemingly flies in the face of openness and transparency; two of the underlying tenets and guiding principles of social media.

In an article in today’s New York Times, Natasha Singer reports that “a Congressional investigation into a recent recall of children’s Tylenol and other pediatric medicines has been stymied by the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, raising the prospect that new measures — like issuing of subpoenas to compel cooperation — could be invoked.”

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the unit that manufacturers Tylenol and other over-the-counter medications, is no stranger to scrutiny by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is currently being investigated for a pattern of violations in manufacturing practice and quality control issues that have led to recalls of several medications. Last month, the agency suggested that it was considering criminal penalties or other actions against McNeil executives.

According to the times article, the House committee opened its investigation in early May shortly after McNeil announced a voluntary recall of liquid pediatric Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Zyrtec. FDA investigators uncovered evidence that the products, made at a company plant in Fort Washington, Pa., may have included metal particles, or too much of the active drug ingredient, or inactive ingredients that did not meet testing standards.”

Manufacturing problems are not uncommon in the pharmaceutical industry and it isn’t clear what J&J has to lose by not fully cooperating with FDA officials. In fact, failure to cooperate could lead to harsher penalties and larger fines. However, I suspect that McNeil hasn’t been forthcoming because of allegations of a so-called “phantom recall” that took place last year, where J&J contractors secretly removed alleged defective products from store shelves.” Nevertheless, ongoing media coverage of the recall and the circumstances behind it are beginning to cast a very negative light on McNeil products and the J&J brand.

Pharmaceutical social media advocates contend that one of the reasons why pharma companies ought to use social media tools is information dissemination and so-called damage or crisis control. While I haven’t been assiduously screening all of the J&J social media channels, it seems like now would be an ideal time to begin to leverage them. 

It is unfortunate that an innovative and progressive pharmaceutical company like J&J has come under fire. However, product quality and safety is of paramount importance to consumers. And companies that cannot ensure those product attributes must move quickly and decisively to reinstate them. To that end, J&J ought to fully cooperate with FDA regulators, fix its Tylenol problems and then use its abundant social media channels to reinstate public confidence in McNeil Consumer Healthcare and the J&J brand! After all, isn’t that what social media is all about?

Until next time...

Good Luck and Good Job Hunting!!!!!!!!

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