Once hesitant – and restricted – to use social media in their communications plans, the healthcare industry is finally embracing the strategy. 

The US division of Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) began using Twitter in August 2009 as a way to post news releases and link to stories of interest for its audience, whether a note of condolence to 9/11 victims or the results of a recent clinical trial.
 
The feed provides a venue for BI to extend the reach ...