Two Health Canada Tools Worth Bookmarking

I can't count the number of times I refer to Health Canada's Drug Product Database when I'm researching a project. It's a wonderful source of information. Here is the description from the Website:

The DPD contains product specific information on drugs approved for use in Canada. The database is managed by Health Canada and includes human pharmaceutical and biological drugs, veterinary drugs and disinfectant products. It contains approximately 23,000 products which companies have notified Health Canada as being marketed.

Information available in the database includes the following parameters:
1. Brand Name
2. Drug Identification Number (DIN)
3. Company
4. Active Ingredient(s)
5. Route of Administration
6. Product Monograph (PM)
7. Pharmaceutical Form
8. Package Sizes
9. Therapeutic Classification (AHFS and ATC)
10. Active Ingredient Group (AIG) Number
11. Pharmaceutical Standard
12. Veterinary Species

In addition to the DPD, you can also access a database of NOC listings from the Drugs and Health Products section of the Health Canada Website. This is a great tool if you need to find out what drugs have been approved under a specific therapeutic class. Sometimes, the listing contains a link to a fact sheet and the summary basis of decision for approval, which I've also found helpful for some projects.

Medical Writing Course at Concordia

Concordia University in Montreal is once again offering a medical writing course this winter. The course is online and starts the week of January 11th and runs for ten weeks. You have until Monday December 7th to fax or mail in your registration (Maddeningly, registration via the Internet is not yet available.), after which you'll have to drop it off in person downtown. The course only runs if there are enough people registered by the end of next week. I should be teaching it, but Concordia does not confirm with me until later this month. (The joys of being sessional!)

CEJN 132N Medical Writing: Promotional and Continuing Health Education
In this on-line course, students will learn how to access, evaluate and use information on medical topics in order to start writing for the pharmaceutical industry. Topics covered include pharmaceutical advertising and copywriting, medical education, patient education, writing for the web, multimedia and newsletters. (Note: Medical Writing I CEJN 130 is NOT a prerequisite for this course. (Cost: $255 CDN)

Registration form and instructions are here.
Complete course calendar is here.

Any questions? Leave me a comment or drop me an email.

::EDIT:: Since this is an online course, there are isn't a fixed class time. I usually do a a few online chats for Q&A through the system used for the online course. These will probably alternate between Tuesday or Thursday evenings. The transcript of the Q&A is available online if you miss the Q&A. I also keep weekly online 'office hours' via skype.

Five Golden Rules of PowerPoint

I think most of us have heard the expression "death by PowerPoint," yet despite our awareness of how excruciatingly painful a bad PowerPoint presentation can be, many of us still make them. Whether it's CME presentations, rep training programs, or marketing strategy pitches, we've all seen the eye-glazers.

A lot has been written on how to create a good PowerPoint presentation. Here are my top five things to keep in mind:

1. Make sure that your presentation has a point and a structure, and that each slide supports both.
2. Avoid clutter. Neither the presentation nor the slide should be cluttered. (Unless, of course, the clutter is a prop for the point.) Use only a few fonts, colours and layouts.
3. Allow only one key message per slide. The message should be clear and any text or imagery on the slide should support it.
4. Use the slide to augment and reinforce what you're saying, not to reiterate it. Don't duplicate what you're saying on the slide. People read faster than you talk.
5. Create handouts from the notes section, not the slides. This helps keep your slides crisp and focused. Besides, you can actually put more information in the notes sections than you ever could on the slide itself.

Do you have a golden PowerPoint rule, or set of rules? Share them with us. Leave a comment or drop me a note.

Unravelling Project Details

I'm a big advocate of spending a little bit of time up front on a project before starting in on the 'real work.' This involves making sure that my understanding of a project accurately reflects the vision and needs of the client, as well as ensuring that I have everything I need to get rolling once I sit down to the task. There are few things worse than getting my head into a project only to discover that I'm missing a key piece of information. This almost always results in delays and frustration.

Over the years I've developed a shopping list that I go through with my clients. The list varies a bit by type of project, but the major categories are always the same:

• A written brief, project description or summary of deliverables. The name will vary depending on the client and the type of work, but it's purpose is the same. It clearly defines the details of the project. For advertising and marketing work, it should also provide a rationale for the project and key background information. If your client doesn't provide one, create it yourself and have your client sign-off on it.


• Context. Find out if the piece is part of a larger program. If it is, ask about the goal of the program and how your projects fits into it.


• References and support material. Before you start a project, be clear if you are responsible for finding references and support material, or if your client will be providing them. I have some clients who provide me with an outline and all the references needed to write the project, and other clients who give me a topic and expect me to do all the legwork. Most fall somewhere in between.


• An internal style guide. This is especially important for manuscripts and marketing materials. If your client doesn't have an internal style guide, ask if they have a sample of a similar project that you could use as a guideline. For marketing projects, also ask for a brand guide that includes commonly-used headlines, taglines, sign-offs etc.


• Timelines. Don't get caught by surprise. For example, be clear if the delivery date from your client is their project completion date or your delivery for the first draft. Also make sure that your timeline builds in adequate time for research, writing, review and revisions (client, medical/regulatory, PAAB, etc), translation and layout.


• Finally, for projects going through PAAB, pertinent PAAB history. Ask the client if they've had any significant discussions with the PAAB in past over content, context, or support materials.

I usually go through this list verbally with my clients. Some topics, like PAAB history, is best done in conversation anyway. I then confirm my needs in a follow-up e-mail, indicating the date I need the materials by.

PAAB Delivers on Social Media Training

Earlier this week, the PAAB gave a panel discussion and learning event around the use of social media in pharmaceutical marketing in Canada. It was excellent workshop and a fabulous example of collaboration. At the start of the day, participants were promised that by the end of it they'd be able to define social media and its applications, as well as to better identify what is acceptable under Canadian regulations. The session accomplished this through a combination of presentations and case studies.

For those new to social media, Nathalie Bourré, a pharmaceutical marketing and social media consultant, gave a quick introduction to the arena. This was followed by a presentations by Patrick Massad, the Chief Review Officer at the PAAB, and Henry Anderson, who manages interactive marketing in the Americas for Novartis Consumer Health. Afterward, participants put their knowledge to the test as an expert panel weighed in on the feasibility, legality, and review requirements of several case studies involving different aspects of social media. Members of the panel included Ray Chepesiuk from the PAAB, Ann Sztuke-Fournier from Health Canada, and three industry representatives: Nathalie Bourré, Henry Anderson, and Christian Roy (Pfizer Canada; Montreal session) or Pat Forsythe (Allergan Canada; Toronto session).

While their opinions didn't always agree 100%, a few bits of consensus were clear:

• The same rules that govern print media apply to social media and web. For example, branded promotion geared towards physicians must be gated to avoid consumer access.


• Just like print media, intent of dissemination and control of content are key. Are you providing unbiased information or promoting a product?


• If you create the discussion environment, you are responsible for monitoring it. Moderate discussions to remove off-label and promotional comments by participants. Be clear and pro-active about your posting and moderation policies.


• Don't use social media for the sake of using social media. Make sure it fits into your marketing strategy. Marketing principles have not changed with the rise of social media, only the medium.

A few participants, myself included, live-tweeted the event. To find out what we thought, simply seach #paab on Twitter.

Mediaville: A Freelance Extravaganza

It seems my recent blog posts are all about promoting local seminars and events. I'll have to remedy that soon. In the meantime, here is an announcement about an event co-sponsored by many different writers' and editors' professional associations in Montreal. The format combines PWAC's traditional 'boot camp' with a freelance-employer 'mixer' that has become an annual tradition in Montreal. It looks like a great event.

Mediaville Montreal
Saturday, October 24, 2009
11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Best Western Hotel Europa
1240 Drummond Street, Montreal

From the Mediaville website:
Mediaville Montreal is a professional development and networking event organized by and for freelance media professionals. If you are an independent writer, editor, publisher or translator, you won’t want to miss it! Over 100 freelancers are expected to attend.

There will be expert panel discussions on how to build a successful freelance media career and how to develop your freelance business, a workshop on how to sell your services to the federal government, a client-freelancer mixer, and an inter-association networking event (a list of potential clients attending the event will be provided as they’re confirmed).

Early-bird discount on tickets until October 9!

Paper to Pixel: Editing for the Web

If you're in Montreal and work in multimedia, especially websites, you won't want to miss this. The Editor's Association of Canada (EAC) is offering a full-day seminar on editing for the web.

The workshop will be held next Thursday at Hotel Ruby Foo's and costs $220 ($160 for EAC members). It's a hands-on workshop. The organizers are asking participants to submit case studies and come prepared to work on real-life problems.

I've attended several EAC seminars in the past. They've all been excellent.

Hooking-Up Freelancers and Employers in Montreal

Last year, the Montreal members of the Canadian AMWA chapter organized a mixer to help freelancers connect with potential employers in the area, and vice versa. The event was really succesful. The event is repeating again next week. It's also open to non-AMWA members. Bring plenty of business cards!

American Medical Writers Association – Canada (Montreal area) Chapter presents:
2nd ANNUAL FREELANCER – EMPLOYER MIXER
Mesa 14, 1425 Bishop, Downtown Montreal, 284-0344
Wednesday, August 5th 2009, 6:30 pm

The pleasure of your company is requested at the 2nd annual American Medical Writers Association freelancer-employer mixer. This dinner event will encourage medical writers (and related professionals) to interact with the companies that hire them.

Freelancers, now is your chance to “show your stuff” to prospective employers who may be looking for talent like yours! We had a great event last year with a large turnout, so anyone who missed it is welcome to attend (AMWA members and non-members alike).

Please feel free to forward this invite to anyone who may be interested, writers and employers alike! For anyone who may know an employer (pharma company, medical communications firms, and CROs, etc.) and is shy to invite them, please advise me and I will send them an official invite. We’ll only have a successful event if we have a mix of both! Please ask them to RSVP by email with me so I can keep a tally of how many people to expect (medicalwriter@videotron.ca).

There is no fee, only what you order for food/or beverages. Don’t forget to bring lots of resumes, business cards, etc. Also feel free to bring your portfolio (if you have one) and put it on display. You will have the option to provide a very brief description (roughly 2 mins) of your services in an informal manner and to mingle with prospective employers. Employers will also be invited to give a brief description of their needs as well, be it medical writing/editing or graphic design etc.

Please RSVP by July 31st (although don't think you can't come to the event if you don't RSVP in time!), but please give me as much notice as possible, so I can let the restaurant know how many chairs to set up. Mesa 14 is a wonderful Mexican restaurant on Bishop near the corner of St. Catherine's.

Crystal Kaczkowski, MSc.
Freelance medical writer
medicalwriter@videotron.ca
(514) 585-3077

PAAB Answers Questions About Social Media

I was very pleased to see that the PAAB is offering a panel discussion and learning event around the use of social media in pharmaceutical advertising in Canada. Pharmaceutical companies are already using it, so the session is sorely needed.

The panel will consist of representatives from PAAB, Health Canada and marketers. According to the announcement on the LinkedIn group for the PAAB, by the end of the event, attendees will be able to:

• Define what “Online Social Media” is and explore its most common applications;
• Identify the most popular social media websites and their key demographics;
• Determine the various applications and benefits of using online social media in Canadian pharmaceutical marketing;
• Undertake approved and acceptable practices for using online social media for marketing and advertising efforts;
• Examine and identify specific examples of acceptable social media marketing practices within the Canadian regulatory environment

This looks like a great event. Dates are set for September 29th in Montreal and September 30th in Toronto. 'Hope to see you there!

Upgrading my Laptop: Part 2 Displays

Most of the time, I work in my office with my laptop hooked up to a docking station and a second monitor. However, I have been known to pack up and head to a cafe to work, and in the summer I like to sit outside. So what kind of screen is best?

While the glossy screen options like TrueBrite or UltraSharp look great indoors and for multimedia, I'm told that they can be very difficult to see outdoors or if a light source, like a sunny window, is behind you. Matte, anti-glare screens won't reflect light sources, however they tend to be less bright unless you find one with an LED backlight option.

In terms of a graphic card, most websites say that an integrated card that shares processing memory with the main computer is fine for most business users. I run Photoshop, and use video conferencing and multiple monitors. I also sometimes need to view graphics-heavy websites or e-learning programs. Apparently this means that I'm not a typical business user. My IT friends all recommended that I get a discrete graphics card. These come with dedicated memory for the display. The drawback is that they tend to be more power hungry, however some can be set to default to an integrated option when conserving battery life is a consideration. Perfect!

Upgrading my Laptop: Part I Warranties

I'm in the process of buying a replacement laptop. I like to buy things that will last and serve me well; and I'm willing to invest a bit more upfront, both in time and cost, to make sure I get a product that fits my needs. I am not a 'tech-geek' by any stretch of the imagination, so navigating the cyber-scape of laptops features is quite intimidating.

In my next few posts, I'm going to share my process as I research my new laptop. Input is always welcome!

My first two requirements are fairly simple. One is an 'office' edition operating system. This gives me extra networking options that I've found useful in my work and, especially, travels for work. The other is an integrated camera and microphone since I video conference with some of my non-local clients. Sure I can perch a camera on top of the monitor, but it's one more thing in the bag while travelling.

My third requirement is proving to be more difficult. I'm looking for a three-year on-site service warranty. As a writer, my computer is my livelihood; and as a medical writer, much of the contents of my computer are confidential. If I need a repair, I simply can not afford to package up my computer and send it off for depot servicing. I want the repairman to come to me. Every computer I've owned has required servicing at some point or another, so the request isn't exactly unfounded.

The 'office' edition operating system and warranty requirements seem to rule out purchasing my laptop from any of the box stores. Most computers only came with a 'home'" edition operating system and one-year warranty. Sure they'll extend my warranty to three years, but it is always return to depot. If I want an 'office' operating system, I'll have to buy it separately.

That leaves purchasing from the manufacturer, which was my preference anyway since it offers better customization. The only three manufacturers I've found who offer 3-year warranties as standard, or the option to upgrade your warranty to a 3-year on-site warranty are Dell, Toshiba and Lenovo. With Sony and HP, I can extend my warranty to three years, but no on-site service. LG might do it, but their website was so user unfriendly, including streaming sound with no 'off button', that I gave up looking.

My next step is to compare products, features and reviews. With only three manufacturers to choose from, at least my choices are already sufficiently narrowed to be manageable. Stay tuned!