Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), a leading biopharmaceutical company, today published the Dutch results of an intensive listening exercise it conducted as part of its 'Because there is more to do' initiative. Patients, caregivers and health professionals reveal the greatest challenges they face when dealing with a disease, how they feel about pharmaceutical companies and where they think pharma could offer more support. The publication of the report is the starting point for further consultations with different actors from the healthcare sector, with new collaborations and relevant actions as a final goal.
The BMS 'Because there is more to do' report, developed in collaboration with Ipsos, outlines the needs of patients, patient organisations, caregivers and doctors surveyed and where they think pharma companies can do more throughout the disease process to improve the patient experience.
Both doctors and patients surveyed in the study see a role for the pharmaceutical industry that goes beyond merely developing new medicines. 89% of the doctors surveyed agree or strongly agree that pharma should improve the quality of life of patients. 73% of patients agree or strongly agree that pharma companies should be strongly embedded in our society1.
Below are some of the key findings from the report:
Pharmaceutical companies can do more for disease education
30% of patients and caregivers who responded to the study would like to see disease educational services better supported by pharma2; a percentage that is significantly higher than the European average (14%). 23% say understanding the condition is among the five most challenging stages3. 27% identified being consulted or empowered in treatment decisions as a top five area where they would have valued more support4. 23% of participating doctors would also like to offer more educational support to patients about their condition5; 15% of them selected insufficient disease information for patients as an unmet need that could be addressed in collaboration with pharma6.
"Besides doctors, patient organisations also play an important role in informing patients about everything related to their illness and how to live with it," says Paul Lacante, Executive Medical Director at BMS Benelux. "Organisations in our exploratory research told us that they sometimes do not have the most up-to-date or complete information. They ask for support for more education about cancer and, more specifically, new treatments."