In this episode of PEP Talks, Emma interviews Dr. David Gillen, the Chief Medical Officer of Norgine, discussing the evolution and importance of patient engagement in the pharmaceutical industry. Reflecting on their first meeting 16 years ago, they explore how patient demands and advocacy have shaped industry practices.

Dr. Gillen emphasises the critical role of patient engagement professionals in drug development, highlighting the shift from a physician-centric approach to a more patient-focused strategy. He acknowledges the challenges and benefits of integrating patient voices into clinical trials, regulatory frameworks, and medical affairs. The conversation also touches on the impact of social media and online communities in amplifying patient voices, the professionalisation of patient engagement, and the complexities of developing medicines for paediatric populations.

Dr. Gillen shares insights on balancing safety, efficacy, and patient needs, and underscores the importance of teamwork and resilience in overcoming obstacles in medicine development.

Emma hosts the third series of Pep Talks, sponsored by Norgine Pharmaceuticals, featuring Mark Bradley, a pioneer in patient engagement. Mark shares his journey from a student nurse in Northern Ireland to founding the People With platform.

He discusses the importance of personalized medicine and the need for better understanding patient profiles to improve treatment outcomes. Mark's vision is to use real-world data to inform clinical trials and patient care, emphasizing the value of patient input in medical research. He highlights the challenges and successes of integrating patient data into healthcare, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of treatments.

Emma and Mark explore the potential of platforms like People With to revolutionize patient care and clinical research, making a significant impact on the future of medicine.

This PEP Talks episode features an engaging conversation between Emma and Paul Simms, founder and chief executive of Impatient. Sponsored by Norgine, the discussion delves into the challenges and frustrations of patient engagement in the pharmaceutical industry.

Paul shares his journey and the motivation behind founding Impatient, emphasising the need for a culture of continuous experimentation and adaptation in pharma. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating patient engagement as a standard practice, removing emotional and professional barriers, and fostering a more innovative and responsive industry. Emma and Paul advocate for proactive, creative approaches to patient engagement, urging professionals to act on their ideas swiftly and decisively.