Words by Jade Williams
Boehringer Ingelheim, Amgen and Novartis have been awarded the highest reputation scores by several cardiovascular patient advocacy groups (PAGs) in a survey by PatientView.
A total of 37 PAGs ranked these companies as having the best corporate reputation among 10 cardiovascular drugmakers. The criteria included integrity, transparency, patient-centricity, equitable access and support services, with the top three companies consistently ranking highly across multiple assessments.
Looking at the sector more broadly, PatientView also found that nearly 77% of cardiovascular patient groups rated the pharma industry’s reputation as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’, making it one of the most positively viewed therapeutic areas – only beaten by groups focused on immune disorders, which rated the industry even higher. Cardiovascular focused patient groups also rated the pharmaceutical industry above other healthcare sectors, including biotech and medical devices.
When rating specific activities, 77% of patient groups gave top marks to the industry’s ability to provide beneficial products, followed closely by innovation. Despite high scores, patient groups still identified areas for improvement, particularly in transparent pricing and engaging patients in R&D activities.
Suggesting ways in which industry could improve its provision, a spokesperson for one cardiovascular group urged that “information should, ideally, be freely available, easy to access, easy to read and in clear, uncomplicated language”. The group also suggested that companies should help promote the work of patient advocacy organisations with HCPs and hospitals. “Many organisations do great work that could be adopted by HCPs and healthcare facilities, rather than them re-inventing the same materials,” they said.
