Embracing change offers a beacon of hope

Yet it's understandable if despair is the emotion felt by packaging professionals in the healthcare community who have lost their jobs. It's also understandable if pharmaceutical company executives are concerned with declining blockbuster drug development.

Change, the old saw says, is the only constant. That's certainly the case in the publishing business where the Internet drives change we believe benefits readers and advertisers.

For example, Healthcare Packaging publisher Jim Chrzan tweets about packaging trends, while regional manager Liz Tierney tweets about healthcare packaging at twitter.com/healthcarepkg. Through this social networking, they bring you insights and personality. And even this print-trained, ink-stained wretch posts “aggregate” articles several times a week for those who prefer electronic research for healthcare packaging-centric news and perspectives.

At www.healthcarepackaging.com we'll also update information on our May 27, 2010 Healthcare Packaging Conference & Workshops event at the Hyatt Regency Princeton, NJ. The one-day event, formerly called the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum, will now cover both pharmaceutical and medical device packaging, as well as offer targeted afternoon breakout workshop sessions.

The move from Philadelphia to Princeton helps emphasize the event's educational nature. Adding a medical device presence is a response to suggestions from readers and attendees.

Jim Chrzan says he's been told, “The pharmaceutical end-user community is infamous for not attending educational events, yet scores the lowest in machinery OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) and the weakest in innovative package design.” His response: “Perhaps it's time to rethink the value of learning from thought leaders and networking with colleagues.” That's a change worth embracing!