NEW YORK, Jan 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- On the heels of the FDA issuing its "Guidance for Industry Responding to Unsolicited Requests for Off-Label Information About Prescription Drugs and Medical Devices", pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research releases new data exploring how consumers use social media and other online sources for prescription drug information and pharma interaction.
The ePharma Consumer(R) study found that 42 percent of online adults agree that pharmaceutical companies should be involved in online health communities for consumers. Additionally, only 19 percent of online adults disagree that pharma should participate in this type of forum - with the additional 39 percent being impartial to the issue.
Interest in pharma involvement is significantly higher among certain audiences, representing stronger opportunities for some pharmaceutical brands than others. According to the study, ADD/ADHD and Bipolar Disorder caregivers are the top groups feeling pharma ought to be active in communities.
An earlier study conducted by Manhattan Research showed that consumer use of social media for health is on the rise -- growing from 63 million U.S. adults accessing health-related user-generated content in 2008 to 107 million in 2011. Top Patient and Caregiver Groups to Agree that Pharma Companies Should be Involved in Online Health Communities for Consumers
1. ADD/ADHD Caregivers
2. Bipolar Caregivers
3. Epilepsy Caregivers
4. Cystic Fibrosis Patients
5. Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Among online U.S. adults (ages 18+) where n is at least 60
"The expectation for pharma to be active in health communities is quite high, particularly among certain disease states and the caregiver population," said Maureen Malloy, Senior Healthcare Analyst at Manhattan Research. "This emphasizes why it's so important that the FDA builds on the guidance they recently issued for off-label discussions. Patients are calling and many brands are trying to determine how to respond."