Imagine you're a pharmaceutical company developing a digital sales aid for your latest drug. As much as you’d love to shout, “This is the best drug on the market!”, legally this would be more than a little problematic, not to mention ethically irresponsible.

That’s where referencing comes in, and I’ve got to admit, it’s become one of those tasks that gives me an insane sense of satisfaction, initially catching me off guard. The combination of the search, the inevitable time pressure, and the need for accuracy taps perfectly into my competitive nature, making the process extremely rewarding. Crucially, it’s the magic that transforms marketing content from bold claims into credible, accurate, and accountable information. When done right, it reassures consumers that what they’re reading isn’t just persuasive, it’s backed by solid evidence.

Now, pharma referencing might sound niche, but it’s way more varied than you might think. Some projects come with fully developed materials and neatly packaged references, while others require building everything from scratch and sourcing every reference, some being easy to find, and others which require deep dives that can test timelines, workflows, and occasionally, my sanity. With different materials, therapeutic areas, and ever-changing challenges, no two projects are the same. And for me, that’s exactly what keeps it interesting!

Of course, sourcing and citing the references alone isn’t enough. These must be verified. So, let me introduce you to the review and approval process; in place to ensure every piece of information is accurate, factual, balanced, up to date, not misleading, substantiated, and, in pharma, compliant with the ABPI Code of Practice.

This process ensures all materials meet compliance standards before they can be used and usually involves uploading content to a platform, completing key metadata, linking references, and going through a rigorous medical review. If amendments are needed, they’re addressed before the content undergoes another round of review.

Only once everything is approved is the material ready for use. But don’t forget, once materials are approved, they’re set in stone. No last-minute tweaks, sneaky edits, or unexpected additions! Any changes, no matter how small, must go through the full review and approval process again. This guarantees that all documents remain accurate, compliant, and aligned with the latest evidence.

This entire process—referencing, review, and approval—ensures that every piece of information is accurate, every company stays accountable, and, most importantly, consumers can trust the products they depend on. While we may not see firsthand the impact these treatments have on patients' lives, knowing that the materials we've worked on play a role in that journey is incredibly rewarding.

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