Localisation of promotional materials for pharma - Volume 33, Issue

Unwarranted changes by the client, lengthy approvals, and multiple rounds of revision – localisation of promotional materials for pharmaceutical companies can become a nightmare if the localisation specialist is unaware of heavy regulations in the…

Plain language summaries of clinical trial results: What is their role, and should patients and AI be involved? - Volume 33, Issue

Plain language summaries (PLSs) of clinical trial results are vital tools in the clinical development process for enhancing transparency and encouraging and facilitating patient engagement. The production of a PLS is now mandated in the EU for all…

Population diversity in clinical trials for rare diseases: A regulatory writer’s perspective - Volume 34, Issue

Ensuring population diversity in clinical trials is essential yet challenging and increasingly complex in the rare disease landscape. The unique challenges in clinical development for rare diseases include limited medical and scientific knowledge,…

Making medical communication accessible to all: A translator’s perspective - Volume 34, Issue

Language barriers in healthcare can put patients at risk, leading to misdiagnoses, delays in treatment, and exclusion from clinical trials. Clear communication requires cultural adaptation to ensure patients understand and trust the information they…

Choosing language that recognizes the contributions of people who take part in research - Volume 34, Issue

Medical communicators can choose words that influence how people perceive individuals and populations who take part in research. For many years, the term subjects was used ubiquitously and internationally in clinical research. However, this term can…

From the Editor - On social media: Once a passive observer – now an active user - Volume 30, Issue

It is with great pleasure that I write my first editorial for this amazing issue on social media. The idea of this issue came to me in 2019, inspired by two special colleagues.

I had social media accounts even before I became a medical writer. I rec…

Global perspectives on EDIB: Advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and Belonging in medical communications - Volume 33, Issue

The integration of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) principles within the field of medical communications is of paramount importance. EDIB principles, aligned with global guidelines on sustainability – encompassing labour…

Subcontracting: Not for the faint of heart - Volume 28, Issue

Subcontracting can be the answer to a successful freelancer’s prayers, or the opportunity to work harder than you have ever worked before for less money than you made when you were a struggling newbie. The potential advantages of subcontracting are…

English Grammar and Style - Volume 21, Issue

Good Writing Practice As an editor, I have been battling against verbosity, redundant modifiers, and ‘buzz’ words for many years. New terms and turns of phrase or new meanings for words pop up all the time. Many of them have come with the…

Regulatory Matters - Volume 32, Issue

Systems biology and real-world data as drivers of change in drug research and development In recent years, systems biology is not only being applied in fundamental science but also in drug development and healthcare. The application of real-world…