From the drug manufacturers to the patients, from advocacy groups to the government, each health category has a multitude of players.

Within every drug category exists a communications matrix that encompasses the work of pharmaceutical companies, the PR messages associated with individual brands, the education and lobbying efforts of advocacy groups, and government regulations. Oncology, pain, neurology, and mental health have several communications elements in common, but they also include unique qualities reflecting their own hot-button issues or trends.

Overall, pharmaceutical PR ...