Rare Disease Challenge #1: HCPs Have More Pressing Priorities
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Rare Disease Challenge #1: HCPs Have More Pressing Priorities


Diagnosing a rare disease is likely to be one of the lowest priorities for a busy HCP.? They have many priorities that take precedence over looking for a disease that has a very low incidence.? This is a huge obstacle to driving the diagnosis of rare disease patients.??

Instead of pushing them to look for this unicorn, establish your expertise in helping them with problem patients.? They will look to you as an expert when they believe you know the rare disease better than any of their peers and believe you can guide them in avoiding a misdiagnosis. Establish credibility that you can offer a helpful perspective when they are faced with difficult patients. Inevitably, you will receive a call looking for guidance.?
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How can I be considered an expert?? Memorize facts and be ready to intertwine them into your conversations.??

  1. This requires a thorough understanding of the disease.? Begin with a study of the natural history of the disease. Make sure to go beyond your corporate training,? Find the actual scientific articles and study. ? Read over and over until you are ready to recite barriers to diagnosis and the impact of the disease.
  2. Build on this by learning everything you can about the diseases patients are misdiagnosed with.? It is a must that you readily describe the similarity and differences between these diseases.? Know how they present to a physician, what laboratory tests are normal/abnormal, and what is standard treatment.? Most of all, have a clear picture of what successful treatment looks like so that you can point out when a patient is not responding appropriately.? This is critical because it may indicate the patient has not been diagnosed properly.
  3. Read case studies.? These are a great source of education.? They will teach you important clues into the profile of these patients before and after diagnosis/treatment.? Categorize how patients respond to different therapies.? Be ready to share the relevant details from case studies approved by your company and know when you would utilize them.??
  4. Learn first hand from those who have treated patients.? Ask lots of questions.? This will help build your conversational abilities and will also build your knowledge.
  5. Keep learning.? New information is always available.? Do this because there are patients that need help. Don't focus on quotas, that will take care of itself as you build your skills and consistently build awareness.???


See my previous articles (below) regarding why rare disease is so hard and lessons learned.

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/rare-disease-marketing-simple-taking-your-pharma-them-tom-lo-ms-mba/

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-i-learned-sales-after-3000-days-working-rare-/


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Disclaimer: The opinions and beliefs expressed are mine and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of my employer

Cindy Gossmer Herweg

Regional Account Manager, Rare/Ultra Rare Disease at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1 年

Really great description on how to engage and earn credibility in rare disease. I especially like the verbiage of helping with their “problem” patients since that’s where they may be spending a great amount of time without finding a solution. Thanks for this great read Tom.

Matt Ring

Regional Business Director, Southeast

1 年

This is well written, thoughtful, expert advice! As stated, ”Establishing your expertise in helping them with problem patients” is the cornerstone of rare disease selling. The advice on how to become an expert with these 5 suggestions noted by the author are focused, require time and effort, and will serve more patients suffering from rare disease who await an accurate diagnosis. Great article!!!

Sandra Warne (BS, CDC, CRC)

Strategic Associate Global Clinical Project Manager | Driving Clinical Trials From Concept To Completion | Leading in Phase I - III Trials

1 年

This situation is aggravated by the issue of rare diseases, which, in the context of the pharmaceutical industry, make the process of new orphan drug research and production difficult and expensive. This high expense and low benefit can make it difficult for the government to choose between the best use of public resources and the best health outcomes for patients. In addition to these factors, many rare diseases still lack effective and safe treatments, while even for diseases with treatments, there are several barriers to accessing orphan drugs. Houston, we have a problem.

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