phactMI Executive Spotlight: Jennifer Riggins, Former Past-President

As part of our phactMI Executive Spotlight series, we spoke with the former Past-President of the phactMI Board of Directors, Jennifer Riggins.

phactMI: You were one of the founding members of phactMI. Can you provide us with a historical perspective?

Jen: We first came together as a group in the fall of 2013. Many of us had known each other for years through our interactions and networking at DIA Medical Communications meetings. We knew we were all facing the same problems and obstacles, so we hosted a discussion focused on identifying the top one or two issues that each of us were facing, the ideas that we each had on how to provide collaborative access to Medical Information, and what solutions were working and what challenges we were facing. We developed a working name, “phactMI”, created subcommittees focused on key topic areas such as technology scenarios, membership and funding, and governance and structure, and determined our key next steps. After a lot of hard work, numerous meetings, dedicated involvement, and individual company discussions, we officially incorporated as a 501c6 in late 2014. We established a PMO office, by-laws, membership criteria, funding, as well as the initiatives that we would be focusing on.

phactMI: Which of the activities that you have been involved in at phactMI have been the most important for you?

Jen: I have really enjoyed my involvement with phactMI. I was one of two people who represented Lilly from concept to birth to growth of the organization. I have found a lot of personal satisfaction from leading the organization as Vice President, President, and Past-President of the Board of Directors, networking and problem-solving with my peer colleagues, and having the opportunity to be creative in our strategic planning discussions. BUT, my work and partnership in establishing the technology strategy and serving as the technology lead have been most rewarding to me. We really had to work hard and persevere through many obstacles and challenges to progress to where we are today, launching a site that can access member companies’ scientific medical answers from a single point of entry.

phactMI: Please describe the technology initiative that phactMI is accomplishing. How will it benefit HCPs and the medical information industry?

Jen: Our goal from the beginning has been to make it easy for HCPs to find the scientific answers they need about our products to make better informed clinical decisions. Many HCPs don’t know, and frankly do not care, what company makes which medication. So, we wanted to create a single access point where HCPs could go to search for answers to their questions using scientifically rigorous information from the manufacturer on products they were prescribing. We approached the creation and implementation of phactMI.org iteratively starting with a site that could be searched for product labels and company contact information. The site is now fully searchable and contains HCP-generated, evidence-based, scientific answers to frequently asked questions, product labeling, and medical information contact information. More and more manufacturers are coming onboard throughout 2021–22 until we have a full complement of resources available. Having the manufacturer’s information as well as the published literature is important to making the best clinical decision.

phactMI: How would you like to see phactMI develop going forward?

Jen: I would love to see phactMI start providing access to manufacturer medical answers at the point of care. We want HCPs to be able to access answers to their questions in their workflow. Additionally, I want us to continue to elevate the practice of medical information, pursue partnerships with regulatory agencies and other healthcare stakeholders, and ensure that we continue to invest in technology advancements that improve the practice of and access to medical information.

Follow phactMI on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. See previous Executive Spotlights with Patrick Reilly, CEO; and Mary Sendi, President of the Board of Directors.