Association of Pharmaceutical Medicine (Singapore) Newsletter 2Q2015

1. NEWS
In this issue…
 Update on Symposium 2015
 Highlights of the June APMS
Panel Discussion
 How you can get involved in
the APMS
Message from the APMS President
Dear Colleagues,
The past few months have been very exciting for the APMS. As
promised at the beginning of 2015, the APMS Board has been
focusing on further developing the Association by increasing
membership, forging connections with important stakeholders,
initiating networking sessions, and preparing for our first
Medical Affairs Symposium. In April, we held a meeting with
Senior Medical Affairs Leaders at pharmaceutical companies in Singapore (Novartis,
GSK, Bayer, J&J and others) with the aim of exploring how APMS can support them
as their organisations evolve. In June, we held the first networking session with a
Panel Discussion titled “Changing Role of Medical Affairs in Asia Pacific”. You will
hear more about the June Panel Discussion and the forthcoming Symposium in this
Newsletter.
I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the June Panel
Discussion which attracted attendance from a large number of companies.
I particularly want to thank those whose vocal and energetic participation during
the meeting made for lively discussion of the common challenges we navigate every
day in our professional lives. The many conversations before and after the group
panel discussion demonstrate that we have created a vital and vibrant forum for
physicians and scientists across our industry to connect with each other.
You may have also noticed that we are strengthening our communication channels
with the launch of the APMS LinkedIn Group and a new look for our quarterly News-
letter. I invite you to actively contribute to both by sharing posts and comments on
the LinkedIn Group and by submitting items for publication in future issues of this
Newsletter. This is your forum.
I look forward to seeing you at the next Panel Discussion and at our Symposium in
October.
Elena Rizova
Save Friday 30 October 2015 for the APMS Symposium
APMS is your forum for connecting with industry colleagues, sharing your thoughts, and learning from experts and each other
Networking and
lively Q&A at
APMS Panel
Discussion
5 June 2015
TopicsFormat
The changing healthcare environment in Asia PacificLecture
Evolving role of the medical affairs functionLecture
Harmonization of regulatory requirements across ASEANLecture
Competency building and career path in medical affairsPanel
Topics include:
 Speaker honoraria for company-sponsored talks
 Company sponsorship of third-party organised
conferences and HCP delegate travel
 The role of medical affairs in promotional activities
Debate
Clinical development
Business acumen
Medical Communications
Parallel
courses
Registration will soon open for our first full-day
APMS Medical Affairs Symposium that will be
held on 30 October 2015 at Holiday Inn Atrium,
Singapore.
The programme, shaped by Dr Ajay Tiku and
Dr Bhuwnesh Agrawal, has been designed with
you in mind to offer: opportunities for learning,
a moderated platform for debate and discussion
around areas of controversy, and ample time for
networking and catching up with colleagues.
The faculty of speakers, panellists, and course
leaders will comprise experts from our industry
and allied partners.
Look out for our e-mail inviting you to register
and stay connected to our APMS LinkedIn Group
for updates to the programme.
We look forward to seeing you there!
APMS NEWS | Quarter 2, 2015 | Issue 3 | Page 1

2. Our latest Panel Discussion on 5 June drew 43
physicians and scientists from 17
companies, representing every stage of the
medical affairs career path. The venue was
generously provided by GSK and the
discussion was moderated by Dr Ajay Tiku, VP
Medical, Asia Pacific North and South Asia,
GSK. These highlights reflect just a glimpse of
the rich and varied discussions that took
place that evening and give a flavour of
events to come.
Dr Tiku kicked off the session by asking the
panel ‘what drives you?’. Dr Jayanti
Visvanathan’s reply echoed and crystallized
the panellists’ shared passion for shaping
patient care: “I love the job — being able to
drive treatment patterns.”
Reflecting on the question ‘what has
changed from the beginning of your career
to now?’, Dr Chuan-Kit Foo observed “When I
joined, medical affairs was seen as a support
service… now, most of our colleagues see us
as partners. It’s a real shift in mind-set.”
Opening the floor to the participants led to a
rapid flow of questions including ‘where are
we heading?’. Dr Elena Rizova flagged three
key areas where we must focus our attention.
APMS NEWS | Quarter 2, 2015 | Issue 3 | Page 2
Highlights from the APMS Panel Discussion on 5 June 2015
Moderator (standing)
Dr Ajay Tiku
VP Medical, Asia Pacific North
and South Asia, GSK
Panellists (seated L to R)
Dr Jayanti Visvanathan
Asia Area Medical Director
Astra Zeneca
Dr Chua-Kit Foo
Head, Medical Affairs,
Asia Pacific, Bayer Healthcare
Dr Elena Rizova
VP External Innovations, J&J
Networking Lead (right)
Dr Arti Dhar
Client Services Director
Meditech Media
“The internet will change the way we
capture, analyse and communicate data so
we need to be savvy around the technology;
we will be increasingly patient-centric in our
approaches; and data generation, which has
traditionally been driven by companies, will
come more and more from patient groups
and the medical community.”
In her response to ‘how do we operate
within the boundaries of compliance and
still bring value to our stakeholders?’,
Dr Visvanathan pointed out that, unlike the
past when healthcare compliance was seen
as policing what we did, the relationship is
evolving to a closer partnership with medical
affairs and marketing to ensure the intent is
right and that we do things in the right way.
Among the many other topics covered,
discussions also touched on patients taking
control of their treatment through social
media platforms, the changing role of the
medical affairs professional, and the skills
needed to progress and succeed.
Look out for our invitation to the next
APMS Panel Discussion and join us for
another stimulating evening of networking
and thought-provoking discussion.
How you can get involved in the APMS...
Dr Daksha Bulsara
ARTEFACT Life Sciences
Become a member of APMS by sending us an e-mail request
Join the APMS LinkedIn Group: Association of Pharmaceutical Medicine (Singapore)
Attend APMS events including future Panel Discussions and Symposia
Contribute to future issues of this Newsletter by submitting ideas and articles
CONTACT us at: info@apmsingapore.org
Dr Elvira Lansang
Senior Clinical Research Manager
Astellas Pharma Singapore
“As I’m relatively new to pharma, these topics
were very relevant. At future events, I’d like
see discussion of how we can enhance the
partnership between medical affairs and
marketing.”
Dr Sandy Yeo
Head Medical
Governance and
Excellence
Bayer Healthcare
Pharmaceuticals
“I’ve found it helpful for
comparing how different
companies manage the
same issues. In future, I
would like to hear more
about the best ways of
acquiring the new skills
we need as our roles
evolve.”
What participants said...
Newsletter Editor
APMS Communications