Empowering Patient to Improve Outcomes through
Self-management, Schering-Plough, NJ (US)
Client Issue: Schering-Plough was first established in the late 1800s as the US subsidiary of Schering AG, a German-based pharmaceutical & chemical company. It was incorporated in NYC in 1928 & in New Jersey in 1935. The 1940s proved to be a key decade in the history of the company, as it evolved from a European-based company with US operations into a truly American enterprise. For Schering, the 1950s & 1960s were characterised by continued growth, attributable to R&D plus acquisitions. The company grew to become a global research-based pharmaceutical firm & in 1971, merged with Plough Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of consumer products, to create the Schering-Plough Corporation. The merger proved successful, as only a decade later the company's sales had grown fourfold. During the 1980s & 1990s, it refined its focus on 4 key therapeutic areas – with significant breakthroughs in antihistamines, corticosteroids, antibiotics, anti-infectives & antiviral products. During the late 1990s they embarked on several interactive media projects, & had a need for consultants with credible professional backgrounds, that could actively engage senior health professionals & customers in innovative empowerment projects using technology.
Solution: Synergy Global partnered with John Simon of The Keren Group, New Jersey to design & develop a nationwide Allergy/Asthma School Educational Website. We facilitated a project to create a school-focused omnibus website as a consolidated centre to empower school nurses with easy access to programs, materials/services & multiple community initiatives in allergy/asthma. This project was predominantly supported by Schering-Plough with its alliance partner America’s Promise. The key goals (& achievements) were a measurable improvement in patient outcomes through the appropriate use of self-management techniques, drug therapy, & trigger avoidance.
Outcome: Our report was accepted by the Executive Board & the project was evaluated to be a success by the Working Group, chaired by Curt Wilbur (Vice President at the time) – with more investment granted to develop the empowerment project further, over the next 3 years. In 2003, Fred Hassan joined the company as the Chair/CEO, directing a further transformational change program. He helped to re-clarify the company’s vision & commitment to earning the trust of healthcare professionals & customers, which is not always easy in the Pharma industry. They are now focusing on building long-term relationships with stakeholders, based on mutual confidence - evident in many ways. Their scientists are earning trust through the discovery & development of innovative, science-based drugs that improve health & wellbeing. Whilst their sales & marketing teams, colleagues working at plants & others at all levels of responsibility, are learning to take each day as a fresh opportunity to earn trust. All of this takes hard work, integrity & transparency. The organisation is now focusing it’s efforts on becoming the best in 3 key strategic areas: people, products & processes - helping people around the world live better & live longer.
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