Adverse events (a suspected reaction to the API or to the API in combination with prescribed medicines or environmental factors) are, naturally, a challenging situation for patients in a clinical trial and may, in rare cases, become severe or even fatal. For sponsors, contract research organizations (CROs), and logistics partners, early notification and accurate information is vital to understanding and responding to a suspected adverse event. What happens if the patient goes off protocol and turns to social media?

The new year is just around the corner, signaling a fresh start and new beginning. Janus, the Roman god of new beginnings and namesake of the month of January, likely inspired our familiar tradition of reflection and resolution this time of year. Janus had two faces, which allowed him to look backward to the past and forward to the future.

Understanding the proper role of social media is an important challenge for pharmaceutical companies when it comes to “connecting” with potential patients and building their levels of trust. In 2017, strategies that involve traditional mass media — such as TV and print ads — are far from dead; however, social media offers clear advantages to building recognition for a drug — and awareness of its efficacy — in ways that can be targeted to very specific audiences. This typical challenge of targeted outreach is made considerably easier for companies thanks to the significant amount of personal content choice that both social and digital media platforms offer patients who are doing their personal health research.