Coronavirus –Productivity & Continued Preparedness in Medical Affairs

#V3Podcast Episode 7 with Dr. Anne Arvizu and Guest Dr. Suzanne Soliman

In this episode, Anne provides excellent resources and links to use for knowledge base, as a means to keep up with true facts and help you and your loved ones say no to fear and false information. This podcast is meant to help healthcare professionals protect themselves and inform others. Almost every industry in the US and beyond at this point has made a massive shift and Anne shares valuable consulting advice regarding the re-direct toward a new normal in Medical Affairs, Medical Communications, Publications and Medical Information. Any company, especially those working on Coronavirus vaccines or antiviral solutions may contact RxER Communications at support@rxercommunications.com to schedule a free consultation and strategy call with Anne.

Focus:

The aim of today’s episode today, is providing guidance for the current changes in the Biotech industry.

The tone of this planned podcast has shifted dramatically in the last week since taping on March 12.  Every day, and even every hour brings with it significant changes as we track. It’s time to not be caught up in the news, but be educated with the facts and forge our new normal.

During the first half, Anne discusses how HCPs (Pharmacists, Physicians, Nurses) are affected and then opens up the second half of the show with a conversation with special guest expert, Dr. Suzanne Soliman, on continued prevention measures to help answer the most common questions we are all receiving right now from the lay public. The aim is to hopefully better equip, protect and prepare the health professional so they can better help and continue to prepare others. Although it is not mentioned in the show, our biggest risk factor right now in the US, is Millennials who continue to go out, travel and not take this seriously. It’s been said the virus rate will depend on them.

It’s a time to stay home and distance yourself from other people as much as possible.

Anne invited Suzanne Soliman, founder of the Pharmacist Mom’s Group, on the show to discuss preparedness; Suzanne earned her PharmD from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy (UIC-COP) in 2004. She completed a residency in primary care with an emphasis on education at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy and a teaching fellowship at UIC College of Medicine.

Dr. Suzanne Soliman is a board-certified medical affairs specialist (BCMAS). Suzy worked as a clinical pharmacist, a medical science liaison (MSL) and national field team educator prior to becoming an Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at UIC-COP. She most recently was an Associate Dean at Touro College of Pharmacy New York and an independent pharmacy owner. Currently, she is the Chief Academic Officer for the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA).

More Key Points:

It’s only been two weeks, but some of the recommended household items are completely gone. Some are being restocked or produced and will be back. There is still time to get some basics prepared. The time to pick up your medications is sooner rather than later. Get your refills NOW. Suzanne also discusses what’s still available and what can still be done.

Should we get tested for Coronavirus? We need to keep our healthcare workers healthy, make sure your ER visit is valid. We can get more sick from the emergency room. Sometimes staying home is better than going to the hospital. Call ahead of time so they can have a self-quarantined room ready for you. In the US, your county will provide guidance on where to get tested.

Is there a vaccine or other therapy coming out for the virus? There are various companies and treatments on top of the crisis as well as the production of a potential vaccine. Depending on the country that is trying to develop it, there are different methods currently being tested regarding treatment. You may be able to get the virus twice, because there seems to be a mutation. This makes creating a vaccine that much harder. Stay tuned, as Dr. Soliman explains when to keep your kids at home.

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Other Resources:

For a free consultation and for medical affairs consulting, visit: https://rxercommunications.com/

RxER’s newest initiative, Corecentryx, Inc. is a productivity tool that can help us maintain projects and stay energized during this long haul.  As a response to the Coronavirus, Anne Arvizu will be conducting a series of upcoming free livecasts to gather health care professionals and help them combat burnout.  More information will be provided soon at https://annearvizu.com/.

For more information about ACMA to become board certified in Medical Affairs visit:  https://training.medicalaffairsspecialist.org/affiliate_page.aspx?unm=anne.aflt.arvizu

To listen to other podcasts on the Pharmacy Podcast Nation, our flagship home on the Pharmacy Podcast Network, subscribe on iTunes or visit: http://pharmacypodcast.com/

If you have something to add to the conversation or would like to be interviewed on the show, contact Anne. https://rxercommunications.com/

In this Episode:

• About Dr. Suzanne Soliman and Pharmacist Moms [ 0:15 ]
• Supplies that we need [ 3:15 ]
• Should we get tested? [ 11:15 ]
• Is there a vaccine coming out? [ 17:00 ]
• Can you get the same virus twice? [ 20:15 ]
• When should you keep your kids at home? [ 23:10 ]

Quotes:

• “This is going to get worse before it gets better.” -Dr. Suzanne Soliman
• “We need to keep our healthcare workers healthy.” -Dr. Suzanne Soliman
• “Encourage all employees to work remotely if they can.” -Dr. Suzanne Soliman
• “We see that history repeats itself...don’t get caught up in the news, learn and apply facts” -Dr. Anne Arvizu
• “Any government has a responsibility to maintain mass hysteria and provide the facts.” -Dr. Anne Arvizu
• “Knowledge is only power if acted upon.” -Dr. Anne Arvizu

Links Mentioned: 

• Pharmacist Moms: https://www.pharmacistmomsgroup.com
• Our World in Data: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus - *Anne’s top pick for data*
• World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/
• Computer virus: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2020/03/11/warning-you-must-not-download-this-dangerous-coronavirus-map/#634337113253

For those interested: 

• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/pandemic-preparedness-resources.html
• https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Guide_to_Local_Production.pdf
• https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-27/drugmakers-hunt-for-ways-to-halt-virus-that-eludes-travel-curbs
• https://time.com/5782633/covid-19-drug-remdesivir-china/

For prevention: *Suzanne Soliman’s Article Discussed On This Show*:

• https://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/pharmacist-moms-recommend-essentials-for-coronavirus-preparedness

Alcohol 70% vs 90 or 99% use:

• https://blog.gotopac.com/2017/05/15/why-is-70-isopropyl-alcohol-ipa-a-better-disinfectant-than-99-isopropanol-and-what-is-ipa-used-for/ 

Published articles:

• https://nypost.com/2020/03/03/chinese-doctor-who-worked-with-late-whistleblower-dead-from-coronavirus/
• https://nypost.com/2020/02/09/coronavirus-doctor-li-wenliangs-mother-demands-answers-after-his-death/
• https://nypost.com/2020/02/06/li-wenliang-chinese-doctor-who-sounded-alarm-on-coronavirus-dead-from-disease-at-34/

About Anne:

Dr. Anne Arvizu is founder and CEO of RxER Communications Corp (www.rxercommunications.com). With 22 years of executive leadership experience in the pharma/biotech industry, she has served in key roles such as Head of Global Medical Information, Knowledge Management & Literature Surveillance for Baxter, Baxalta & Shire; Member Executive, PhactMI; International Regional Head & Director of Medical Communications & Medical Information for GSK, LATAM; DIA MASC Program Committee & Track Chair for The Drug Information Association; Podcast Founder & Host for The ACMA (#V3Podcast) (The Accreditation Council For Medical Affairs); Board Member of The American Medical Writers Association (AMWA), and, as an advocate for community health, she serves as Chair, South Florida YMCA Board of Directors in her community. She holds degrees for University of Florida (PharmD), University Of Sciences in Philadelphia, and Villanova University.  Anne currently engages biotech CMOs and VP Level executive clients as an expert consultant for Medical Affairs Capabilities build, renovation, and value-based business expansion.

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