The 2019 compliance conference season is just around the corner and the PharmaCertify
team is gearing up for a slate of sessions beginning with a two-day stop at CBI’s 5th Annual Compliance Congress for Specialty Products.
This conference holds particular interest since the compliance challenges faced by specialty companies, including a number of our clients, are somewhat unique to the industry. With that in mind, I have perused the agenda for the sessions that look compelling for the specialty audience.
Day 1: Thursday, September 12, 2019
8:30 a.m. Keynote Panel: Focal Points and Top Enforcement Trends for Specialty
Set your iPhone alarm and don’t be late for the opening session! The enforcement panels are often a source of valuable information at compliance conferences in general and in light of the focus on specialty biotech companies in this conference, this is an intriguing choice to kick off the conference. Assistant U.S. attorneys from Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey will join the panel to hopefully discuss the trends specifically relevant to this audience.
11:30 a.m. Creative Training Techniques for Out-of-the-Box Engagement
Okay, I confess, I am a little biased since this session will be moderated by my colleague Dan O’Connor. But being on the “inside” has afforded me the opportunity to hear and see the plans for the presentation and trust me, you don’t want to use this time to refill your coffee. Dan and the panelists from Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi Genzyme, and Sarepta Therapeutics will share real-world and tested techniques for creating and deploying training that sticks.
1:15 p.m. Where is the Line? Tackling the Overlap in Medical and Commercial Activities
Understanding the divide between MSLs and sales representatives remains a key topic for training consideration in the pharmaceutical industry in general. And that line does change over time. In fact, presenters at the 16th Annual Pharmaceutical Compliance Congress in April stressed that the recent trend toward a principles-based culture requires even more collaboration between Medical Affairs and Field Sales. Expect the panelists from Radius Health, Sunovion, TESARO, and Akebia to address that change.
2:15 p.m. How Far is Too Far? Navigate the Risks While Maintaining the Merits of Patient Support Activities
Patient support programs are in the news. I know…tell you something you don’t know, right? I find the title of this session interesting though in that it highlights the need for risk awareness while pointing out that the programs hold benefits for the patients that pharmaceutical companies are committed to serving. Keeping those programs compliant is a worthwhile and noble effort and we look forward to the panelists from Sage Therapeutics, Sanofi Genzyme, and Acceleron Pharma sharing their suggestions for accomplishing that task.
5:00 p.m. Networking Wine and Cheese Reception
While this may seem like an obvious choice for a favorite session (somewhat akin to saying “lunch” was my favorite subject in high school), I make note of it for reasons beyond the libations. The networking sessions at compliance conferences offer a great opportunity to learn from your peers in face-to-face conversations. You’ll even get to chat with the vendors who made the time and financial commitment to share their products and services with you. Don’t forget to stop by the PharmaCertify booth to say hi – the wine is on us! Oh wait…it’s already on CBI.
Day 2: Friday, September 3, 2019
8:30 a.m. The Impact of Recent FDA Guidance on Product Communications – Dramatic Change in Operations or Business as Usual?
After a review of Day 1 by the conference chair, Day 2 begins with this cleverly titled session. I admit, I was pulled in by the title and I’m intrigued to hear the answer. My best guess, based on recent presentations by the FDA’s Office of Prescription Drug Promotion, is that the truth lies somewhere between “dramatic change in operations” and “business as usual.”
11:30 a.m. Cell and Gene Therapies Learning Lab – Compliance Considerations for Highly Complex, Potentially Curative Treatments
While the two “comprehensive breakouts” scheduled for 11:30 a.m. both look intriguing and educational, I lean to this one simply because of the title. After all, what’s better than a specialty pharmaceutical product conference that features discussions about well…specialty pharmaceutical compliance considerations? This is a great example of how such smaller, more focused conferences can present learning opportunities that are rare in the larger compliance congress settings. We look forward to hearing the presenters from EMD Serono and IQVIA discuss how those considerations differ from the broader risks and concerns.
2:00 p.m. Fireside Chat What You Need to Know and What You Wish You Had Known – Compliance for the Beginner and the Expert
Great title! Described as an interview session with participants from Sage Therapeutics and Acceleron Pharma, this is certainly a unique and bold way to end the conference. Hopefully, it fills attendees’ minds and notebooks with memorable tips, suggestions and reminders to help them build a stronger culture of compliance and reduce risk. Well played, CBI, well played.
Discounted Registration Fee!
As a conference sponsor, the PharmaCertify team is offering a discount registration voucher for the 5th Annual Compliance Congress for Specialty Products. Contact me at smurphy@nxlevelsolutions.com if you’d like to take advantage of this opportunity to network with your peers and hear industry leaders share best practices and tips for building, maintaining, and training on a strong compliance program. While at the conference, stop by the PharmaCertify booth to see demos of our newest Compliance Foundations eLearning modules, custom training courses and the newly updated Access LMS.
Thanks for reading!
Sean Murphy
Marketing Manager, PharmaCertify by NXLevel Solutions