Bridge Worldwide announced today that Jonathan Richman, Director of Strategic Planning, will present at the public hearing on "Promotion of FDA-Regulated Medical Products Using the Internet and Social Media Tools," to be held on November 12 and 13, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Richman is scheduled to speak on Friday, November 13, at 11:40 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. for 10 minutes per time slot. To listen to a free, live webcast of the hearing, go to: www.capitolconnection.net/capcon/fda/111209/FDAlive.htm.
Reflecting on the upcoming hearing, Richman said, "In almost every discussion I have with our healthcare clients, they all stress both the importance of and challenges associated with engaging in social media. Beyond any other marketing issue, this is by far the one getting the most attention. For more than a year, a number of people have publicly called on the FDA to issue specific guidance around the proper use of social media. I'm optimistic that this hearing is the start of a process that will clarify many of the nagging questions healthcare companies have regarding the proper use of social media. I hope this will open up a new era in communication between patients, doctors, and healthcare companies, all with the ultimate goal of improving patient care."
A number of individuals will have an opportunity to comment on the way FDA-regulated medical products, such as prescription drugs and medical devices, are being promoted via the Internet, with a focus on social media. In his presentation, Richman will address the impact on patient health as it relates to healthcare companies' ability to provide corrective information and engage in discussions on third-party websites, such as WebMD.com. In addition, Richman will offer solutions on how to improve the process of adverse event reporting and recommend ways the FDA can provide clarity around this issue.