EMJ GOLD: Pharma news, views and analysis · EMJ

S11 E05: Pharma's year in review 2025

·17 min

EMJ Gold closes 2025 with a special year-in-review episode hosted by Isabel O'Brien. She frames the year as one shaped by progress, pressure, reflection, and recalibration across healthcare and life sciences. Three contributors return to help tell that story from different angles. Jonathan Sackett looks back at the industry's biggest setbacks and lessons from the year. Hannes Farnbeck focuses on a major success in neuroscience. Yasin Marzouki adds an omnichannel perspective on steady progress in engagement strategy. The episode opens by setting a broad, professional tone rather than a narrow recap. It acknowledges regulatory upheaval and access challenges alongside collaborations and scientific breakthroughs. Sackett argues that one important positive was the absence of a new trend that would have forced teams to start over. He says that instead of chasing reinvention, the field could keep building on prior foundations. He also points to a shift away from technology for its own sake. In his view, the stronger focus is now on engaging HCPs through the right link between channels and content. The episode treats that as a meaningful sign of steady progress in omnichannel work. Farnbeck then describes a joint working project with Dementia's Platform UK and four NHS trusts. The project aims to improve early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. He notes that it won its second award, including Partnership of the Year at the HSJ Partnership Award. He also highlights the UK government's commitment to a new modern service framework for dementia and frailty under the NHS 10-year health plan. That policy direction is presented as a chance to align diagnosis, community support, and treatment pathways. The episode closes by widening the lens from sector updates to purpose and perspective, then signs off with a festive message for the audience.

As heard by us

A concise year-end look at healthcare and life sciences, balancing pressure, progress, and collaboration.

EMJ Gold closes 2025 with a compact year-end look at healthcare and life sciences, moving through progress, pressure, reflection, and recalibration.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want a sharp year-end healthcare and life sciences briefing without the noise?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify