An Assessment of Preparation Methods and Personnel Requirements in a Medical Information Department during Product Launch

Abstract

A survey of medical information (MI) departments was conducted to gain an industrywide perspective of the launch process. In addition, a second survey was conducted that quantified activities during product launches at Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Marietta, GA). Of the 52 initial companies invited to participate in the study, 26% (N = 14) provided responses. The majority of the surveyed teams consisted of two to three personnel from the MI department, and preparation activities began less than 3 months prior to launch. Overall, product launches at Solvay Pharmaceuticals required an average of 1.62 MI personnel and 52.6 hours of self-training. Activities began an average of 6 months prior to the expected launch date. While working on the launch team, MI personnel were responsible for an average of 2.25 additional products. Based on product launch experience at Solvay Pharmaceuticals, a formula was developed to estimate workload during future product launches at Solvay Pharmaceuticals.