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There are many events outside of the workplace that can negatively impact workplace productivity. A major holiday and major sporting events (like the Super Bowl, World Cup or NCAA Basketball Tournament) are a few of

According to USFDA, a combination product is one composed of any combination of a drug and device; biological product and device; drug and biological product

these possible distractions.

As people begin to think about, talk about and focus on these events, their focus may leave their work. Think about it: how many tournament brackets are filled out on office time? How mu

; or drug, device, and biological product and fixed dose combination would include two or more combinations of drug.

Examples of combination products may in

ch Christmas shopping gets done online at the office every year?

This change of focus can lead to significant losses of productivity. As leaders we can’t remove the distractions – the events will still occur. Our jo

lude drug-coated devices, drugs packaged with delivery devices in medical kits, and drugs and devices packaged separately but intended to be used together.

b instead is to do what we can to recognize and take advantage of the situation however we can.

I suggest the GAME approach to maintaining focus and productivity in the face of these outside distractions. Let me exp

here is enormous increase in the number of combination products entering the market in the recent years. Combination products have proven advantages but fixe

lain.

G – Gauge the real level of interest.

A – Acknowledge the potential distraction.

M – Motivate employees by maintaining high expectations through this time.

E – Enjoy the opportun

d dose combinations are still in the process of convincing regulatory authority on their advantages over the single ingredient formulations.

Combination pro

ity to connect with your employees.

Let’s look at each of these strategies in a bit more depth.

Gauge the Real Level of Interest. Don’t assume that everyone is interested or distracted! Taking a “Henny-Penny

ucts have become life saving products for the pharmaceutical companies who doesn’t have many innovative molecules in their product pipeline and have been inc

the-sky-is-falling” approach will surely overstate the situation. Are some people talking about the pairings for the World Cup or NCAA tournament? Of course they are! But some people could care less about soccer or

easingly used in the product life cycle management. Even the companies having product patents are trying to extend their product life cycle through the combi

basketball (and might not be able to tell the difference between the two sports). When you realize that it might not be everyone, it will put your mind at ease just a bit.

Acknowledge the Potential Distraction.
nation products and maximize the revenues. But the companies involved in this practice are overlooking that they are burdening the patients both economically
b> Share your concerns with your staff. Let them know that you know the big game is exciting and while you want them to enjoy it and talk about it, that you are concerned about productivity. Tell people it is natural
and physically. They need to rightly judge the benefits of the combination products and they have to even look at the risks involved when combining the produ
and fine to be excited and that you hope some of that excitement can “rub off” onto the work. As a young professional, my boss suggested I literally stay away from work to watch my beloved Boilermakers in a first ro
ts. Some of the combination products were well accepted by physicians while others suffered. Companies involved in development of combination products are fi
und NCAA Tournament Game. Working on the west coast the game was in the morning. His suggestion was to stay home, watch the game and come in as soon as the game was over. His only other request? Call in with a halfti
ding difficulty in defining their combination products and facing various challenges from selecting a combination to marketing it.

Following aspects would a
me score. How motivated and productive was I when I came to work that day, and for the rest of the week? I hope you know the answer (Go Boilers!). Not only that, but I still tell that story now more than 20 years lat
dd to the challenges in developing combination products:

Which markets to tap where the combination products can do fairly well?
Which combination prod
er.

Motivate employees by maintaining high expectations through this time. While you should acknowledge any productivity concerns you have, you can also take a different approach. Consider mentioning and ackn
cts are meaningful and rational?
Which therapeutic categories to select?
Which Combinations can address unmet needs of the patients?
Do combin
owledging the distraction and then refocusing attention on an immediate goal. If people have a short-term, highly-motivating goal or another important task to work on; their focus will be gently shifted away from a c
tions increase the patient compliance?
What would be the developing cost?
How to tackle the risks encountered during combination product developmen
omplete focus on the hype of the games or upcoming holiday. Putting that goal or challenge in front of them can be an extremely motivating thing to do! You will likely generate even more focus if you can somehow crea
t?

As combination products don't fit into the traditional categories of drugs, medical devices, or biological products, the USFDA is in the process of devel
tively tie the achievement of the goal to some down time for the big game or event. For example: If we get this shipment out by noon, anyone who wants can take a long lunch to watch the games, do Christmas shopping o
ping new procedures for reviewing their safety, efficacy and quality.

Professional from academic institutions, pharmaceutical industries, health care indust
r whatever is appropriate given the circumstance. Of course – if people aren’t interested in the event, they can take a long lunch too if they choose or possibly leave a little early at the end of the day.

Enjoy
y and representatives from various regulatory agencies are working out to design the regulatory requirements for manufacture and sale of combination products
the opportunity to connect with your employees. If you are a fan too, use this as a way to connect with your team (your work team that is). Have a pre-game celebration. If the games are on during the week, put a
.

As there is an increasing trend of the combination products companies manufacturing such products should be able to tackle the problems involved in the de
TV on showing the games during lunch. Be involved in any of the other activities surrounding the event. As a leader this may be an outstanding opportunity for you to build rapport and trust within your organization a
elopment. They need to be wiser in analyzing the market trends and the regulatory requirements.

Companies that provide selfless information through particip
nd deepen relationships with your employees.

Use the GAME approach in times of distractions and you will be leading more proactively. At the same time you will be maintaining or growing productivity and team morale.

tion in industry events and feedback to regulatory authorities would be able to face the challenges and will be successful in developing combination products

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