Where does the information in IMS Knowledge Link come from?
Sales information for products, countries, therapies and companies
The sales information is compiled using the IMS MIDAS' global analysis system, which captures the dynamics of pharmaceutical activity in more than 80 countries.
Growth in sales is measured in constant dollars, enabling analyses without the influence of fluctuating currency exchange rates. Pharmaceutical sales figures include prescription and some over-the-counter data, and represent manufacturer prices.
The relevant underlying source of information is IMS World Review.
Information for drugs in research and development
The R&D editorial team works closely with companies and relies on their feedback to obtain up-to-date information. Their activities are as follows:
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Asking companies to update information on drugs in their pipeline
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Carrying out company interviews, using drug-specific questionnaires
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Reviewing press releases and annual reports
Also at:
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Scientific conferences
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Analyst briefings
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IMS local links with companies
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Company R&D days
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Company investor conferences
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Review journals, posters and conference abstracts
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Regulatory data from the various regulatory agencies such as the US FDA, EU EMEA and the Japanese NHI
IMS Knowledge Link only shows drugs that are in active development; i.e. where progress has been reported within the last three years.
The relevant underlying source of information is IMS LifeCycle R&D Focus.
Non-numeric company information
A team of in-house editors exploit their knowledge of the healthcare industry and their diverse backgrounds in medicine, pharmacology, chemistry and languages to provide critical analyses of a company's business strategies.
Internal and external sources of information are utilised to build up the most comprehensive picture of the key companies on the market today, including:
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Interviews with key personnel such as CEO, head of R&D, in major corporations, plus interviews with senior personnel in several biotech/specialty pharmaceutical companies
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Conferences, companies' annual reports, and press releases
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Specialist publications, internet
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Stockbrokers/analysts reports
The relevant underlying source of information is IMS Company Profiles.
Patent information
Patent information compiled by IMS emanates from official patent documentation relating to projects in development, either a patent application or a granted patent document.
The IMS patent experts work closely with CAS, Chemical Abstract Services, to maintain up-to-date records within the service. They are also in close contact with patent attorneys at local country levels and work with official patent journals to ensure that the latest amendments to the patent laws are reflected in IMS Knowledge Link.
Secondary resources, such as the Orange Book, official country patent journals, online and internet services are also monitored by the team to update information on patent legal status, lapsing, granting, extensions, SPCs, pediatric exclusivities, marketing exclusivities, orphan drug status.
The relevant underlying source of information is IMS LifeCyle Patent Focus.
Product Launch Details
The product launch information is compiled using the IMS MIDAS' global sales system, which captures the dynamics of pharmaceutical activity in more than 80 countries, including launch dates of each pack as well as the product's form and strength when first released on the market.
Forecast information
The forecasts for each country are derived form extensive primary and secondary research and analysis, as follows:
Primary Research
Face to face interviews are conducted with key industry and government personnel, including:
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Ministry of Health officials
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Multinational R&D manufacturers - marketing/business development/strategic planning
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Domestic pharmaceutical companies
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Trade and Industry associations
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Pharmacists/primary care physicians/specialists
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Hospital physicians/pharmacists
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Wholesalers (distributor) organisations
Secondary Research
In-depth information for each country is collected from a wide variety of information sources. These include:
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IMS MIDAS international database
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IMS publications
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Government reports and statistical yearbooks
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Special studies and position papers from international healthcare agencies, consumer groups and other organisations
The IMS Market Prognosis projections are based upon ten years of volume and price quarterly sales data. Pharmaceutical volume and price data are independently analysed, with respect to macroeconomic variables, using multiple regression techniques. Then an econometric model is used to develop two equations - a demand (volume) equation and a price equation - on which the forecast is built. These are used in combination with macroeconomic indicator forecasts (Economist Intelligence Unit - EIU) to obtain a baseline extrapolation of actual sales for each audited market sector. The macroeconomic indicator forecasts used to obtain the baseline projection are tabulated below. After the baseline projection has been optimised, events are applied to obtain a final forecast.
The relevant underlying source of information is IMS Market Prognosis.
IMS R&D News
Sources of information for R&D News are the same as the ones used for the R&D information.
Reuters Healthcare News
Reuters is the largest international multi-media news agency, reporting extensively from around the world on topics ranging from financial markets to general and political news. IMS Knowledge Link features news relating to pharmaceutical companies as well as the country markets news that may be relevant.
How often is the information updated?
Annual or quarterly-updated sales information for products, countries, therapies and companies
The sales information is updated on a quarterly basis, providing sales for 12 months from the previous quarter. An annual version is also available providing information for the previous year.
Weekly information for drugs in research and development
This information is updated on a weekly basis to ensure that pipeline developments are captured as adequately as possible.
Monthly non-numeric company information
This information is updated on a monthly basis as follows:
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up to ten companies each month will feature brand new information covering all aspects of the company's performance
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any major news on a company will be included on an ad-hoc basis, often covering one particular aspect such as a new product launch or an acquisition.
Monthly patent information
This information is updated on a monthly basis to monitor new patent filings as well as news relating to potential litigations.
Quarterly launch information
This information is updated on a quarterly basis to monitor new product launches at the national level.
Forecast information
Forecasts and the supporting material are published mid April with updates available in mid October
Weekly R&D News
This information is updated on a weekly basis to report on the latest phase changes, launches, approvals as well as licensing offers.
Daily Reuters Healthcare industry news
This information is updated on a daily basis to ensure that the latest industry news is as timely as possible.
