We’re delighted to welcome a new Research Team Lead to our growing staff. Marianna Bokou has a background in Market Access and Quality Assurance in several pharmaceutical companies. She also holds an MSc in Health Economics, Policy & Management from the Karolinska Institutet and a BA in Pharmacy. We pride ourselves on our multi-lingual team and Marianna is no exception. A native of Athens, Greece, she moved to Sweden in 2022 to study for her MSc and is learning Swedish fast, in addition to her fluency in English and German and her native Greek.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is the biggest overhaul of European packaging rules in years. Currently under review by the European Parliament and Council, launched in November 2022, it aims to reduce Europe’s packaging waste and promote reusable alternatives. It includes proposals for packaging reduction targets for Member States and strict reusable and refill targets for in-store dining and takeaway services.

Market research within its health division is the foundational strategy to drive informed business decision-making for the different stakeholders in the healthcare industry. Opticom’s approach for market research involves a multi-faceted methodology, deeply integrated with strategic consulting, and supported by our industry knowledge, to deliver actionable insights that directly impact clients' business outcomes. 

The Unseen Environmental Cost of Pharmaceuticals  In the modern world, pharmaceuticals offering relief and cure to many health conditions. Yet, beneath this healing facade lies an often-overlooked consequence—environmental pollution. The journey of pharmaceuticals, from their production to their disposal, demonstrates significant risks to different ecosystems, particularly aquatic life, and by extension, human health.   In this upcoming series of articles, Opticom will delve into the critical yet often overlooked issue of pharmaceutical waste and its environmental consequences. Our first piece sheds light on the significant barrier presented by a lack of public awareness regarding the safe disposal of unused or expired medications. This topic aligns with Opticom's commitment to fostering informed discussions and better solutions, as we explore the intersection of both healthcare and environmental sustainability. By initiating this series, Opticom aims to inspire actionable change, reflecting our dedication to addressing complex global challenges through insightful analysis and strategic guidance. 

We’re delighted to welcome a new Research Team Lead to our growing staff. Marianna Bokou has a background in Market Access and Quality Assurance in several pharmaceutical companies. She also holds an Msc in Health Economics, Policy & Management from the renowned Swedish medical university, Karolinska Institutet, and a BA in Pharmacy.

Q: Why investing in international market research during times of uncertainty? 

A: It’s a strategic move for decision-makers and business leaders. 

In an ever-evolving global landscape, uncertainty has become the new constant. For businesses seeking growth and stability, the necessity of understanding international markets cannot be overstated. In this article, we delve into why decision-makers and business leaders should consider international market research an invaluable investment, particularly during times of uncertainty.

This year Opticom celebrates 35 years of helping the industry see the wood for the trees.

Eco-labels, forest certifications, carbon offsets, SBTs, and now sweeping new legislation on its way from Brussels in the form of the European Regulation on Deforestation-free products (EUDR). There are so many tools, stamps and certificates when it comes to sustainability that navigating your way through what works and what doesn’t can appear something of a legislative jungle.

You might be forgiven for thinking we have a one-track mind when it comes to listening. We’re always talking about the value of listening to customers and indeed other stakeholders in the value chain before making decisions, but it’s with good reason. The graveyard of business failures is littered with those who didn’t grasp what their customers were trying to tell them until it was too late.

Last month, we had the pleasure of attending an IVA (Ingenjörsvetenskaps-akademien) Seminar in Stockholm.

In the December edition of the Opticom Life Science Industry Newsletter, we are excited to share our commitment to change and global impact; we're also excited to unveil our new brand and website. Carl Michael Bergman, reflects on the remarkable growth and collaborations in 2023 across 65 countries. The newsletter also explores Opticom's 36-year commitment to environmental sustainability in healthcare and life sciences. Additionally, explore our recent study comparing AI chatbots to physicians in patient experience, revealing AI's potential to surpass human responses in both quality and empathy, prompting discussions on the future of emotional intelligence in medical practice.

In a recent exploration of patient experience, an intriguing revelation emerged from an article in JAMA Internal Medicine dated April 28th, 2023. The study posed a question: Can an artificial intelligence chatbot assistant rival physicians in providing responses of comparable quality and empathy to patient questions?

In 1987, our journey began with a resolute commitment to addressing the pressing environmental challenges that lay ahead. From the very inception, we at Opticom have been steadfast in our passion for fostering a sustainable future. Grounded in facts and propelled by various trend studies, we endeavored to make environmental consciousness a critical factor for the healthcare and life industry. Today, on our 36th anniversary, we proudly reflect on the transformative journey we've embarked upon.

We had the pleasure of attending a seminar about key conflicts in the forest industry and the way forward in Stockholm on October 15th, organised by IVA. There were plenty of issues to think about, all involving an understanding of the bigger picture. Here’s a snapshot and some reflections:

In this edition, Mikael Selling reflects on climate changes and the rising focus on sustainability in the forest product sector. The newsletter discusses the challenges companies face in communicating sustainability effectively to avoid greenwashing, amidst a growing importance of sustainable branding. It also explores the potential gap in generating demand for sustainable products despite consumer willingness to pay more, hinting at a communication disconnect. Furthermore, it highlights the crucial role of authenticity in product labeling to educate consumers and build trust in the market.

After 35 years in the business, we’ve seen the impact a good brand can have, and how it can be used to enhance sustainability communication. No wonder more companies than ever are taking branding seriously. Project Manager David Weller explains.

Product labels and certificates proclaiming environmental friendliness are everywhere. Indeed, they are now so ubiquitous that they have become the norm, not the differentiator. Moreover, their overuse has prompted criticism that some are simply environmental marketing and in the worst cases, greenwashing. However, used correctly, labels remain an important tool in the fight for the consumer’s attention as well as an effective means to help educate. The key is authenticity and transparency.

We know that consumers are driven by emotion. Their behaviour can be complex with numerous factors influencing purchasing decisions. A business that understands what and how the consumer thinks is more likely to meet their needs. This is especially true when it comes to sustainability. Consumers say they are increasingly concerned about the environment and yet we often hear from businesses that they struggle to generate demand for environmentally-friendly products.

We approached this project carefully, as it was our very first undertaking of this scale. We studied our client’s business to create a focused and effective solution - and then watched it grow. We loved working with this client and look forward to collaborating together on many more successful projects in the future.

The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise’s report “Företagsklimatet – nu än viktigare” (The business climate – now even more important) shows how the Swedish business climate is taking a slightly negative direction after decades of positive developments.