Dive Brief:
- Pow Health is a joint effort by the multiple sclerosis patient advocacy group MS Ireland and Teva.
- Pow Health is a website which was developed to help visitors monitor their disease symptoms and progress, while managing and tracking e-health records, medications, lab results, blood pressure, and weight.
- Teva’s MS drug, Copaxone (glatiramer), has revenues of roughly $4 billion per year; however, sales are declining as patent expirations take effect.
Dive Insight:
According to a survey probing the social media habits of individuals with MS, almost one third use social media to connect with other MS patients, and 86% of MS patients would like increased online resources. Teva’s objective is to leverage their ability to support patients’ needs, while also raising awareness for Copaxone -- a necessary step for a drug beginning to lose patent protection in various markets and facing competition from newer MS medications coming to market.
Pow Health isn't just a good vehicle for raising awareness about Teva’s role in MS therapeutics; it is a unique e-health site that not only allows patients to document and track their health, but also allows users to share data with physicians, caregivers, and family members. The goal, according to Sandra Gannon, general manager of Teva in Ireland, is for Pow Health to “become an invaluable bridge for communication and understanding between patients, health charities, and healthcare professionals.”