Medical Marketing

Those involved in medical marketing face the same challenges as those engaged in other marketing arenas, but with some added complications. The products that are being marketed - pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostic equipment and other health-related goods - require specialized knowledge above and beyond that necessary in most other marketing spheres. In addition to keeping abreast of developments in a most distinctive marketing niche, the medical marketer must also be up-to-date on the latest federal, state, and local regulations concerning their products. Some formalized training, designed specifically for the medical marketer, may be warranted...

Medical Marketing Association
The Medical Marketing Association (MMA) is a non-profit group organized to support and educate those involved in marketing medical and health-related products. The MMA hosts seminars and conferences throughout the year, as well as sponsoring local meetings - MMA members receive discounts on some fees and tuition. The MMA also publishes a periodical (MMA Marketplace) for its membership along with a member directory. The MMA is also allied with two academic programs for medical marketers, one at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the other at Northwestern University.

Academic Programs
The medical marketing program at both UCLA's Anderson School of Management and Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management is a week-long, intensive seminar designed for marketing professionals working in one of the many medical and health-related industries. Seminar instructors include regular university faculty, along with industry leaders and expert lecturers from outside academia. These programs are expensive (approximately $5700 for the week), but expose the marketing professional to experts he or she might not otherwise meet and information that may be difficult to find elsewhere.

Publications
There are several publications devoted to the education and concerns of those involved with the marketing of medical products. Among the most popular are: Journal of Medical Marketing, Journal of Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management, Journal of Health Care Marketing, MX Magazine, and DocGrow Journal and Action Report.