PharmaScroll Launches AI Tool That Sources from Blogs and Patient Forums

Stock.adobe.com

As the pharma and biotech industries continue to embrace AI, new companies are exploring as many different ways to utilize the technology as possible. One of the biggest advantages provided by AI is its ability to sort and analyze data. Researchers in pharma and biotech generate massive amounts of data which then must be analyzed for results. As a result, much of the implementation of AI has focused on data generated by researchers and HCPs.

One company, however, is introducing a new tool that looks to collect data from a wider net.

PharmaScroll announced a new generative AI chatbot called Self-Serve AI.¹ The company describes it as a research and analytics tool and pulls insights from a wide range of data types, including sales metrics, claims analysis, market trends, and more.

What makes this product stand out, however, is where it gets its data from. While the company lists typical sources for a healthcare product like this, such as payer data and APLD, it also sources data from blogs and patient forums.

In a press release, PharmaScroll director Sahil Singla said, “We are excited to bring Self-Serve AI to the market. It is a comprehensive, adaptable, and secure tool that helps organizations in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries leverage their data for smarter decision-making. With its ability to process both qualitative and quantitative data, its integration of diverse data sources, and its user-centric design, it is an invaluable asset for businesses looking to stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry."

This isn’t PharmaScroll’s first product to pull data from public sources.

Earlier this year, the company announced ScocialBl, which it described as a social media listening tool.² PharmaScroll says that this product is able to pull healthcare related conversations from various sources, such as X (formerly Twitter), Reddit, and forums on public healthcare sites like WebMD and Mayo Clinic. This data is meant to provide HCPs with actionable insights into patient behavior, perceptions on drug safety, and how patient populations are communicating with each other.

In a press release issued at the time, Singla said, “"We are excited to bring SocialBI to the market. It represents a transformative tool for pharmaceutical companies aiming to leverage the potential of social media conversational data. With SocialBI, our clients can stay ahead of trends, understand patient needs better, and enhance their strategic planning and marketing efforts."

Both of these products demonstrate the potential for AI to find data from the massive supply of public sources. It’s important to note, however, that this data doesn’t necessarily provide a full picture. Social media users are notorious for being biased and believing misinformation (which they then spread themselves). There are also plenty of bad actors on social media websites deliberately spreading misinformation about medical conditions and medicine. Also, many of these public forums are notorious for including posts from healthy people who are overreacting or exaggerating minor symptoms. Any data pulled from these sources would have to take these factors into account before trying to find any actionable insights.

Sources

1. PharmaScroll Expands AI Offerings with Self-Serve AI Chatbot for Transformative Healthcare Insights. PharmaScroll. January 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pharmascroll-expands-ai-offerings-with-self-serve-ai-chatbot-for-transformative-healthcare-insights-302356067.html
2. PharmaScroll Launches SocialBI: The Cutting-Edge Social Media Listening Tool for Real-Time Patient Insights. PharmaScroll. January 7, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pharmascroll-launches-socialbi-the-cutting-edge-social-media-listening-tool-for-real-time-patient-insights-302344134.html