MedComms Day 2025: Exploring the Edges of Medical Communications

On Wednesday 25th June, we were delighted to welcome the medical communications community — both in person and online — to our MedComms Day 2025 event. Hosted in the atmospheric 300-year-old Vestry House in central London, the day was one of the hottest of the year — both in terms of weather and the quality of discussion.

The venue was packed, the garden was in full bloom, and the agenda was full of insightful talks, fresh perspectives, and conversations that continued long after the final session ended.

Unvisited Areas of MedComms: A New Lens on Familiar Topics

The first half of the event focused on unexplored corners of medical communications — areas we often overlook but are central to how our industry works.

What Do Health Economists Actually Do?

Dr Clive Pritchard kicked off the afternoon by asking a deceptively simple question: What do health economists do, and are they the hidden power behind drug and device development?

His talk shed light on the complexities behind determining Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs), the value of estimates over p-values, and the influence that health economists wield behind the scenes. With AI on the rise, Dr Pritchard made a compelling case that these experts will remain essential — and quietly powerful.

Communicating Through Art

Tony Pickering, a celebrated medical artist and illustrator, explored the role of art in medical communications. He reminded us of the enduring power of visual storytelling — particularly cartoons — to express complex ideas and human emotions with clarity and impact.

His work features heavily in our own offices at St Giles Medical and in our book Dr Giles’ Simple Life Advice for Cool Kids (link) — an example of how illustration can break down barriers in science communication.

Pharmacovigilance: Important, Interesting — and Not Too Scary

Dr Suzanne Foncin, Global Patient Safety Leader at GSK, shared a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at pharmacovigilance. Every day, safety teams sift through huge volumes of data to detect genuine safety concerns.

She reminded us that all medicines come with side effects, and the aim is to minimise harm while maximising benefit. Her talk also highlighted how a drug once associated with tragedy — thalidomide — is now used in combination with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma, thanks to rigorous safety science.

A Break for Scones and Sunshine

Midway through the afternoon, delegates enjoyed a well-earned break in the Vestry House garden with homemade scones and strawberry jam — a perfect chance to reflect, recharge, and connect with fellow attendees.

What’s Next for MedComms?

The second half of the day zoomed out to examine industry-wide trends and the human side of MedComms.

AI, Engagement and Evolving Careers

Dr Dawn Lobban, Director and Co-founder of Amica Scientific, delivered a thought-provoking session on the future of our field. Her key themes included:

• The exponential rise of AI and its implications for MedComms teams

• The growing importance of patient engagement

• The evolution of medical writers into influential communicators, not just technical specialists

She ended with valuable advice on how to navigate this changing landscape — with curiosity, confidence, and purpose.

Soft Skills for Serious Impact

Our final session, hosted by Eleanor Steele of The MedComms Workbook, brought together a panel of experienced professionals:

• Dr Simon Page, Global Medical Affairs Director, Ipsen

• Julia Davies, medical writer, editor, and qualified coach

• Dr Vicky Sherwood, blogger (Biomed Badass) and Medical Publications Manager, Merck

• Dr Dawn Lobban, returning in a new capacity

They covered everything from CV tips and interview strategies to winning pitches and common career mistakes. The ‘worst mistake I ever made’ section was particularly popular — and reassuring.

Wrapping Up — and Winding Down

After a lively afternoon of learning, the conversation continued into the evening at the adjacent Angel pub — a relaxed close to an inspiring day.

We are incredibly grateful to our speakers, delegates, and sponsors for making this event possible. Your contributions, insights, and energy are what make the MedComms community so special.

We hope to see you all again at our pre-Christmas MedComms event in Manchester.

Until then, have a wonderful summer — and stay tuned for more detailed session write-ups and video highlights coming soon.