NEWS: H&K win cancer pain drug deal

Hill and Knowlton’s healthcare division has landed a six-figure account

to promote a pain relief drug for cancer sufferers. The agency pitched

against Countrywide Communications three weeks ago for the business.

Durogesic, a skin patch treatment for chronic cancer pain, was launched

by Janssen-Cilag, the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson & Johnson in

January.

The company hired Macclesfield-based healthcare specialists Gardiner-

Caldwell Communications on a short term contract for the launch period.

Hill and Knowlton will focus the campaign on palliative care specialists

and nurses in hospitals involved in caring for the late stages of

cancer, GP’s and pharmacists through their specialist press.