Thousands of pharmacists participate on IMS survey panels that form the core of our prescription intelligence.  But our relationship with them extends beyond the exchange of information.  We also form cross-industry partnerships to improve the scientific, technical and professional activities of pharmacists worldwide.

For example, IMS works closely with the International Federation of Pharmacists (FIP), the global federation of national pharmacists associations, to support pharmacist education and other important healthcare projects.

In January 2002, IMS and FIP partnered to launch the “Virtual Poster Gallery,” a Web-based information resource that provides pharmacists around the world with instant access to abstracts of presentations delivered at the FIP Congress.  These abstracts cover topics ranging from the role of the pharmacist in managing chronic diseases to community pharmacists’ involvement in local healthcare programs.

In addition, IMS has deployed a series of extranets that provide secure online networking for community pharmacists in the U.K. and South Africa. Pharmacists can use these tools to receive up-to-the-minute pharmaceutical and medical information, helping them better serve their communities.