[Ip-health] Bailey's scientific perspective benefits Novartis-- abt. Anne Bailey, head of corporate communications for Novartis AG

[Joana Ramos]

>
> She points out that Novartis spent $755 million in access programs for
> its medicines last year alone, an effort that helped reach nearly 34
> million patients. She also notes that Novartis, unlike some other drug
> giants, has the second-strongest genetics business in the world and
> that the company is committed to keeping the cost of healthcare from
> continuing to skyrocket.

I presume use of the word "genetics"  is a typo,  meant to be "generics" .

JR

------------------------original article------------------------

http://www.prweek.com/us/news/article/634713/Baileys-scientific-perspective-benefits-Novartis/

Bailey's scientific perspective benefits Novartis
Newsmaker
Marc Longpre
PR Week USA
Feb 25 2007 01:05

You don't need to tell Anne Bailey about the changes in public
perception the pharma industry has seen in recent years. She recalls
when things were quite different.

Having worked across a range of disciplines within the industry over the
past 25 years, Bailey is uniquely positioned to say just how much things
have shifted. As head of corporate communications for Novartis AG, she
also has a pretty good view of the road ahead. She's confident the
public will come around again.

"The perception of the industry has changed tremendously," says Bailey.
"When I started in [healthcare PR], it was great to tell people what you
did because they all thought healthcare was a fantastic place to work,
very caring. Somehow, over the past several years, that has changed. The
industry [now] does have a very negative reputation. That's a challenge
for any company in the business."

Bailey's role is among the most high-profile in the industry. Novartis
is the world's fourth-largest pharmaceutical company, complete with a
vaccine division, genetics business, and a consumer-health division.
Running corporate communications for any company of this size, let alone
in the pharmaceutical industry, can be a daunting task.

Fortunately for Bailey, there is good news. Unlike recent reports coming
out of Pfizer, Novartis is in a growth phase. Profits climbed yet again
during the fourth quarter, pushed in part by the strength of heart drug
Diovan and cancer drug Gleevec. Novartis also sees strength in the
pipeline. There are at least three drugs waiting in the wings that could
help raise profits: Galvus for diabetes, blood pressure treatment
Tekturna, and Tasigna for cancer.

That doesn't mean things have been quiet for Bailey - quite the
contrary. The company is currently involved in a suit in India over the
patent for Gleevec. The decision to file the lawsuit has been criticized
by AIDS activists who claim that if the drug company is successful, it
could set a precedent for other pharmaceutical companies looking for
patent protection for essential medicines being made cheaply in places
like India. And while the company has insisted it would continue to
provide the treatment to those who can't afford it, it has not been easy
to articulate Novartis' thought process.

"We want to make sure we get clarity on the patent situation in India,
so it's not necessarily about winning or losing," Bailey says.

"The other piece of the puzzle is to make sure that innovation is
protected," she adds. "The messaging will take time for people to
understand because it's a complex situation when you're talking about
patents."

She points out that Novartis spent $755 million in access programs for
its medicines last year alone, an effort that helped reach nearly 34
million patients. She also notes that Novartis, unlike some other drug
giants, has the second-strongest genetics business in the world and that
the company is committed to keeping the cost of healthcare from
continuing to skyrocket.

Bailey's background is unusual for someone in her position. She has
experience in both the science and the business of her current employer,
serving as the head of pharmaceutical operations in France before making
the jump into communications.

"This is really the first time in my career that I'm able to combine all
of those elements," says Bailey. "There's the business element, the
scientific background, which you need in our business, and, in
communications, a lot of the creative work. Bringing all of that
together is a perfect position for me to have."

Anne Bailey

April 2005-present
Corporate comms head, Novartis International AG

March 2004-April 2005
Head of the Global IQP Program Office, Novartis Pharma AG

Nov. 2000-March 2004
Head of pharma operations, France, Novartis Pharma SAS





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Joana Ramos, MSW
Cancer Resources & Advocacy
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