E-business in the pharmaceutical industry: not dead but dormant

Reports of the death of e-business in the pharmaceutical industry are an overstatement. According to the second annual pharmaceutical industry survey carried out by leading management, systems and technology consultants PA Consulting Group, e-business is 'not dead but dormant'. It remains a high priority, but many companies have adopted a 'wait and see' position after the dot-com implosion.

The survey, which includes responses from senior executives at pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the US and Europe, indicates that most companies take a conservative approach to e-business:

'Our survey shows that e-business in the pharmaceutical industry isn't dead, but it remains dormant,' said Keith Clinkscales, a member of PA's management team. 'This underlines what we know from working with key industry players: there is enormous opportunity to gain a competitive edge through smarter, more aggressive e-business investments.'

To obtain copies of PA's 2001 survey 'E-business in the Pharmaceutical Industry', please contact Meghan Searles at +1 617-252-0230; lifesciences@paconsulting.com