5 highlights from the 2019 PAAB training conference

The Pharmaceutical Advertising Advisory Board, better known as PAAB, had their annual training and information sessions in Montreal and Toronto this week. Here are the top five highlights we gathered from the sessions:

1. PAAB is seeking experts to provide input on three advisory committees
   • Reviewing the eFile pre-clearance submission system and PAAB’s approach to digital campaigns
   • Review the PAAB logo and brand and potentially update them
   • Provide feedback on the client tagging system with the aim of increasing client adoption of that system.
2. The new and improved Tags system on eFile submissions was explained and the early results reviewed. The tags provide feedback to PAAB on the efficiency of the pre-clearance process and the client experience. Keep in mind that the feedback is confidential and not seen by your PAAB reviewer. An audit of the tag system is scheduled to occur in 2021 so take advantage of this feedback feature and create some tags. 
3. PAAB's first of its kind social platform is officially launching next week. This new platform will be a great new resource to ask questions and share knowledge with PAAB, and its stakeholders here is a sneak peek: https://forum.paab.ca/
4. The Health Canada Distinction Document clarifies the distinction between advertising to promote the sale of a drug and activities that are not primarily intended to promote the sale of a drug (e.g., education, scientific exchange, labeling, shareholder's report, etc.) and was last revised in 2005. It is getting updated and PAAB went through what will be changing in the new draft. Keep your eyes peeled for the new version in 2020.
5. In-depth analysis of best practices when getting PAAB pre-clearance approval on new technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and chatbots powered by machine learning. This is new territory for everyone so feel encouraged to request a PAAB opinion early. Don’t forget to get PAAB pre-clearance approval on the storyboards before you build the VR/AR so you can avoid having to make changes when it is very expensive.

At Papercurve, we are always looking for ways to better manage your workflows pertaining to the PAAB submission process. For example, helping manage internal approvals before submission and storing expiry dates. What parts of your workflows pertaining to the PAAB submission process do you think could be improved with technology? Let us know at info@papercurve.com

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