VirSci

VirSci Corporation was established in 1995 by John Mack, then working for Pharmaceutical Information Associates, Ltd. -- a scientific communications company -- to develop interactive and Internet-based medical communications programs for the pharmaceutical industry. The name, VirSci (pronounced vir-SIGH, like the palace), was formed by the combinat... ion of "Virtual Science" to emphasize our focus on virtual applications for the sciences and "Real Solutions for the Virtual World." Even before VirSci was incorporated, Mr. Mack conceived and launched PharmInfoNet, a "Top 20 Health Site" focused on drug information content and databases for physicians and pharmacists. PharmInfoNet pioneered many innovative, Internet-based communication programs including the Electronic Highlight Bulletin for the delivery of medical conference highlights to physicians via email and the Web. In 1996, VirSci Corporation assumed ownership of PharmInfoNet and converted it into a premier pharmaceutical marketing Web site. From 1996 to 1999, VirSci developed Web sites for pharmaceutical companies and professional medical societies and helped them market these sites as well as meeting highlights through the PharmInfoNet portal site. Meanwhile, VirSci Corporation also took a leadership role in establishing best practices for online health information by forming the Internet Healthcare Coalition (IHCC) in 1997. This was in response to issues raised initially by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a packed October, 1996 public meeting on use of the Internet by FDA-regulated entities (see FDA AND THE INTERNET: ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION OF MEDICAL PRODUCTS for a transcript of that meeting). In 2000, the Coalition released the eHealth Code of Ethics in order to assure high quality information and services, protect privacy, and enhance the value of the Internet for both consumers and providers of health information, products, and services. In 1999, VirSci Corporation sold PharmInfoNet to Mediconsult, a leading health information portal Web ...Read More