Hi!

Last week, we were joined by ​Lauren Gardner, FDA reporter for POLITICO, and ​Tina Reed, healthcare editor at Axios, to explore the most pressing issues in Washington in the wake of the new administration.

This Media Minds Roundtable-sponsored panel didn’t shy away from any of the big topics. We dove into the impact of regulatory changes and shifting policies and the ever-growing challenges for healthcare journalists, while examining how biopharma comms pros like us can best support the media.

We all came away with a ton of insight, with actionable, practical tips that we can implement right away both as individuals and within our wider teams:

1. Monitor beyond industry circles. Follow MAHA influencers and diverse perspectives to understand the emerging narratives that are reshaping the public’s perception of biopharma.

2. Address anti-science rhetoric. Develop messaging that counters dialogue characterizing biopharma companies as perpetuating, rather than solving, health problems.

3. Review politically sensitive terms. Regularly reassess your scientific language choices; standard terminology may now trigger previously unseen negative responses.

4. Streamline reporter outreach. Keep pitches concise: use compelling subject lines, avoid attachments, and ensure experts are immediately available if you are offering their insights.

5. Embrace executive authenticity. Coach your key company stakeholders and spokespersons to acknowledge information gaps during interviews, rather than pivoting to pre-agreed talking points. Reporters find this more trustworthy.

6. Provide tangible impact examples. Offer journalists specific metrics showing how regulatory changes directly affect operations, research, or patients.

7. Balance voice strategy. Be strategic in determining when to leverage trade group perspectives versus company-specific insights, based on story context.

8. Customize by company profile. Articulate how policies uniquely impact your organization based on size, development stage, and therapeutic focus.

9. Pursue business angles. Continue pitching developments around AI, healthcare costs, and PBM dynamics despite the Washington-dominated news cycle.

10. Plan for regulatory shifts. Be proactive: prepare messaging ahead of any potential changes to research and approval standards that could alter development strategies.

This was such a candid conversation, and I’d like to reiterate my thanks to Lauren and Tina for their willingness to share their personal experiences and professional pointers to bring this panel to life.

If you missed it (or want a refresh!), the replay is now available for T2B Pro and Student members:

​Revisit “Inside Washington”​

Stay tuned for details on our next press panel, coming in May.

Lynnea

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P.S: T2B Pro and Student members can revisit this content (plus loads of other exclusive webinars, resources, and online events) at any time by accessing the T2B content archive.

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