"This misalignment speaks volumes about biopharma's challenge to better understand patients and their perception of the value of prescription drugs in order to address the needs of this increasingly influential stakeholder group," added Amin.

Additional findings from The New Health Report include:

What is the impact of the rise in generics? - Almost half (46%) of biopharma executives believe a worsening of public health is likely if generics continue to gain market share. What do patients think of patent protection? - Nearly all biopharma executives (99%) and three-quarters (75%) of patients feel patent protection is important in promoting the development of new drug therapies. However, nearly one third (30%) of patients believe that drug companies should never be the only company that can make and sell a drug. What should be the therapeutic area of greatest focus? Biopharma executives, managed care executives and patients all agree that oncology should be the therapeutic area of greatest focus in the next five years. Which cancer should be a top priority? - Among patients, more than one in three (35%) feel breast cancer should be the priority focus, followed by lung cancer (16%) and leukemia (13%).

SOURCE Quintiles