RealPharma: Conversations with Pharma Pathfinders – Détails, épisodes et analyse

🎙️ RealPharma Podcast

Episode Title: Cracking the Code on Patient Engagement: Conversational AI with Dan Fox

🗓️ Release Date: May 5, 2025 🎧 Hosts: Dr. Na-Ri Oh & Ian Wendt 🎤 Guest: Dan Fox, Managing Director of Healthcare at Drips

In this eye-opening episode, we welcome Dan Fox, a trailblazer in AI-powered patient communication, to explore how proactive outreach and conversational AI are reshaping healthcare engagement. As the Managing Director of Healthcare at Drips, Dan shares how his team is using SMS-based AI to boost patient adherence, improve outcomes, and build trust—even in the face of complex compliance and tech fluency challenges.

From personalized text reminders that get 60–80% response rates to thoughtful strategies for integrating AI without sacrificing patient experience, Dan takes us deep into what’s working (and what’s not) in healthcare communication today. Plus, he shares what excites him most about the future—including AI therapists, ambient scribes, and closing the tech adoption gap in health systems.

• Why “attention” is the biggest communication challenge in healthcare

• How AI-driven SMS is outperforming traditional channels like email and mail

• Real-world outcomes: 4.1% improvement in national medication adherence rates

• Navigating regulatory complexity with Drips' proprietary “rules engine”

• Why many healthcare orgs use “compliance” as a crutch against innovation

• Texting seniors? Yes—it works (and they even say “thank you, sweetie” ❤️)

• The future of AI in healthcare: from virtual triage to AI therapists

“We’re not using generative AI in our consumer outreach—because every single word needs to be approved. But we use AI to scale natural conversations.” – Dan Fox

“Trust is everything. We use personalization and omnichannel context to build it—one message at a time.” – Dan Fox

“We don’t want PHI. We just want to start the right conversation.” – Dan Fox

• Drips.com – Learn more about their AI-powered engagement solutions

• CMS Star Ratings: Why medication adherence matters

• Companies like RxAnte mentioned for rules-based healthcare targeting

• Website: drips.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dsweeneyfox/

• Role: Healthcare Strategy Lead

Available wherever you get your podcasts—Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more.

In this powerful and deeply human episode of RealPharma, we’re joined by Grace Magedman, PharmD—former Chief Pharmacy Officer at Children’s Hospital of Orange County, functional medicine practitioner, and founder of The Magidman Group.

Grace takes us inside her 20+ years of hospital pharmacy leadership, where she navigated high-stakes medication decisions, complex implementation of rare disease therapies, and the ethical strain of resource constraints. But her most transformative leadership moment came not in the boardroom—but in her own experience of burnout.

Now a certified high-performance coach, Grace shares how she rebuilt from the inside out, creating the Functional Resilience Framework—a science-based system that blends neuroscience, functional medicine, and leadership development to help others sustain performance without sacrificing purpose.

Whether you’re in pharma, hospital leadership, or simply navigating the demands of high-impact work, Grace’s insights offer a roadmap to lead with clarity, energy, and longevity.

• Learn more about Grace’s work: magedmangroup.com
• Connect with Grace on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/magedman/

• Interested in the Functional Resilience Framework? Contact Grace directly for coaching or workshops.

In this latest episode of RealPharma, we’re diving back into the fascinating world of AI in pharma, breaking down all the insights from our conversation with the brilliant Andree Bates! If you missed it or want to catch the highlights, this episode serves up a concise, punchy summary covering everything from predictive analytics to patient outcomes and beyond.

But there's a twist.

Our hosts, this time, bring a unique, fresh perspective to the conversation—you might notice something different about how they tackle the topic. Stick around until the end, and you’ll find out what makes this episode truly special.

Curious? You won’t want to miss this one. Tune in, share your thoughts, and see if you can guess what’s up! 

Resources

• Andree Bates on LinkedIn
• Eularis
• AI in biopharma research: A time to focus and scale
• AI in Biopharma: Use Cases and Considerations
• Artificial intelligence and its expanding role across the biopharma landscape

In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt sit down with Philip Vyt, a renowned expert in omnichannel strategy and founder of Shyft, a consultancy specializing in omnichannel approaches for biopharma.

They delve into the key concepts behind omnichannel and its distinction from multichannel, emphasizing the centrality of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in engagement strategies. Philip breaks down the importance of personalized content delivery and the role of interconnected channels in creating a 360-degree view of HCP interactions. He also shares practical advice for biopharma companies—both large and small—on building effective omnichannel campaigns, starting with "minimal viable campaigns" to learn by doing.

The conversation explores the challenges companies face, such as managing content supply chains and the integration of technology, while highlighting the significant investments needed in marketing technology (MarTech) for a truly effective omnichannel approach. Philip also discusses the differences between the U.S. and European markets in terms of data privacy and consent, as well as the evolving role of AI and automation in real-time engagement with HCPs. Throughout, Philip provides actionable insights on how companies can avoid common pitfalls, emphasizing a focus on execution and the importance of aligning marketing with commercial excellence.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to implement a successful omnichannel strategy and why it’s a journey that requires commitment, adaptation, and collaboration across teams.

Resources:

• Philip Vyt on LinkedIn

In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri and Ian Wendt welcome back Kristiaan Rawlings, from EPM Scientific to discuss the latest trends in pharma and biotech hiring.

They explore the key drivers of hiring, the impact of AI and advanced analytics, and the evolving expectations of candidates. Kristiaan emphasizes the importance of change agents in the industry and shares insights on the optimistic outlook for small biotechs and oncology. The conversation also touches on strategies for candidates to navigate career transitions and for companies to attract top talent in a competitive market.

Resources:

1. Kristiaan Rawlings on LinkedIn
2. EPM Scientific
3. BioSpace 2024 Employment Outlook
4. BioSpace Complete Guide to the Biopharma Job Search
5. BioSpace 2024 Job Search Toolkit

In this episode, Ian Wendt and Dr. Na-Ri Oh interview Michael C. Barnes, Chairman of the Center for US Policy, about the US opioid crisis.

They discuss the evolution of US policy on opioids, the impact of the crisis on different communities, the role of legislation and harm reduction, the accountability of the pharmaceutical industry, barriers to accessing treatment, and the importance of advocacy in addressing stigma.

The conversation explores various themes related to the substance use disorder crisis, including the lack of parity in insurance plans, the role of prescribers, the need for treatment and support, the potential for decriminalization, the economic impact of substance use disorders, and the US-centric nature of the problem. The guests discuss the importance of addressing substance use disorder as a health condition and providing therapeutic responses and harm reduction services. They also highlight the need for policies that focus on prevention, access to treatment, and economic opportunities for individuals in recovery. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the need for comprehensive solutions.

Resources:

• Michael Barnes on LinkedIn
• Center for US Policy
• NOPE Task Force
• Recovery Friendly Workplace Institute
• Pain News Network

Danny McBryan, an executive leader in the pharmaceutical industry, discusses the evolving role of medical affairs in healthcare.

He highlights the importance of medical affairs in conveying the science of pharmaceutical companies and translating complex data into a meaningful narrative for healthcare providers, payers, patients, and policymakers.

McBryan emphasizes the need for medical affairs to be seen as a strategic partner rather than a support function and advocates for closer collaboration between medical affairs, health economics, and outcomes research (HEOR) to demonstrate the value of drugs and address unmet needs.

He also discusses the impact of digital transformation on medical affairs, including wearables, therapeutic digital solutions, social media, data analysis, and real-world evidence. McBryan envisions a future where medical affairs plays a more strategic role, engages with patients, and contributes to drug discovery and development.

RESOURCES

• Danny MCBryan on LinkedIn
• Medical Affairs Professional Society
• The Future of Medical Affairs 2030

In this episode, Na-Ri and Ian interview Stacey Tinianov, an independent patient advocate and founder of Advocates for Collaborative Education.

They discuss the importance of patient advocacy, the role of digital health, and the future of patient engagement.

Stacey shares her personal journey into patient advocacy and highlights the gaps in knowledge and understanding she experienced as a breast cancer survivor. She emphasizes the need for human-centered design in healthcare, where patients are at the center of the design, development, and deployment of programs and technologies.

Stacey also discusses the impact of digital platforms on patient engagement and the importance of building relationships and engaging with patients beyond a transactional level. Patient advocacy is a multifaceted field that encompasses various areas, including clinical trial advocacy, research advocacy, and policy advocacy. The future of patient advocacy lies in the expansion of voices and the focus on improving quality of life and survivorship. Advocates play a crucial role in shaping clinical trials, ensuring patient-reported outcomes are considered, and driving policy changes. The ultimate goal is to achieve true partnerships between advocacy and industry, as well as the decentralization of clinical trials.

Patient advocates can effectively communicate by understanding their motivation and goals and tailoring their language to resonate with different stakeholders. The consequences of not getting patient advocacy right include a regression to the frustrating relationship patients had with pharmaceutical companies in the past. However, progress has been made, and patient advocacy has the potential to drive positive change in healthcare.

Resources:

• Stacey Tinianov on LinkedIn
• Rabble Health
• Advocates for Collaborative Education
• International Cancer Advocacy Network
• Patient Advocate Foundation

Summary

Dr. Andrée Bates, a pioneering force in the realm of artificial intelligence within the pharmaceutical industry, shares insights on the evolving role of AI in pharma, the future of healthcare innovation, and her advocacy for women in leadership.

She discusses the early days of AI in pharma, the challenges faced, and the evolution of AI terminology. Dr. Bates also explores the application of AI in commercial insights and analytics, market access, drug discovery, and clinical trials.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to the application of AI in the biopharma industry, including the use of synthetic data, digital twins, regulatory and medical affairs, market access, precision doctor targeting, and ethical implications.

Dr. Andree Bates shares insights on the impact of AI on drug discovery, clinical trials, and patient care, as well as the potential for AI to revolutionize the industry.

Resources

• Andree Bates on LinkedIn
• Eularis
• AI in biopharma research: A time to focus and scale
• AI in Biopharma: Use Cases and Considerations
• Artificial intelligence and its expanding role across the biopharma landscape

Summary

In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt discuss Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on drug pricing and patient access to medications.

They are joined by Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46 Brooklyn Research and president of 3 Access Advisors, which provides insights into the role of PBMs in the drug supply chain.

The conversation highlights the consolidation of power among the top three PBMs, their anti-competitive behaviors, and the need for increased scrutiny and regulatory measures. The discussion also explores the distorted incentive structures that favor high-cost drugs over lower-cost alternatives, leading to higher drug costs and limited access for patients.

The conversation explores the impact of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) on drug costs and access to medications. The report states that PBMs control about 70% of all specialty drug revenue, leading to the closure of independent retail pharmacies in rural areas. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the PBM industry.

It also discusses the potential solutions, including market-based approaches and policy changes, to address the inefficiencies and anti-competitive behaviors of PBMs.

Resources

• Antonio Ciaccia on LinkedIn
• Antonio Ciaccia on Twitter/X
• 3 Axis Advisors
• 46 Brooklyn Research
• FTC Interim Report on PBMs