CREATION.co

Pharma Product Launch Tracker: HCPs celebrated approvals but expressed concerns about access, cost and toxicities

22.09.2025 | Health Strategy

Pharma Product Launch Tracker: HCPs celebrated approvals but expressed concerns about access, cost and toxicities

Between June and August 2025, CREATION.co analysed over 8,500 mentions of launches and approvals of new products by over 3,000 HCPs on public social media. Our research revealed how key events drove spikes in the online conversation.

 

1. HIV Prevention

On 18 June, Gilead Sciences announced the FDA’s approval of lenacapavir (Yeztugo), an injectable prevention jab for protection against HIV. Over 230 HCPs in just under 300 posts shared about the approval on social media. Infectious diseases doctor, Jake Scott highlighted that this is the “closest thing we have to an HIV vaccine” but recognised that “approval doesn’t equal access.” Similar themes about access to the prevention medication were echoed by epidemiologist and Rwanda’s Minister of Health, who acknowledged that “cost & rollout remain barriers.”

This post by Sabin Nsanzimana was reposted 8 times by other HCPs and generated over one million impressions on X.

The unprompted social media conversations of HCPs reveal potential barriers to access and adoption. By detecting these signals early on, pharmaceutical companies can work to address concerns around cost, policy and rollout, ensuring greater access to their medicines.

2. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

On 8 August, Boehringer Ingelheim received FDA approval for zongertinib (Hernexeos) for the treatment of non-squamous NSCLC. Over 60 HCPs welcomed and discussed the approval in just under 100 posts.

Thoracic Medical Oncologist, Fawzi Abu Rous, celebrated the approval stating “Great news for patients — this is the first oral option for this population!” Fawzi Abu Rous’ post was amplified 6 times by other HCPs and garnered over 9,000 impressions. Another Thoracic Oncologist, Stephen Liu, shared the FDA approval news referencing the Beamion-Lung1 trial data that led to the approval. Liu, among other HCPs, reported on social media that diarrhea was the main toxicity observed in the trial.

HCPs in dialogue with one another discussed how to sequence the drug, signalling HCP willingness to make clinical decisions around integrating the newly approved treatment alongside other available options. Medical Oncologist, Anis Toumeh, expressed that “I like this before Tdxd for most patients.” In the following week, another oncologist, Martin Dietrich, shared updated NCCN guidelines which included zongertinib but noted that optimal sequencing is still unclear. Identifying areas of uncertainty among clinicians provides an opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to offer clearer evidence-based guidance on how to introduce new treatments into clinical practice and manage toxicities.

3. Metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

On 15 August, the FDA approved Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (Wegovy) for MASH. HCPs celebrated the approval, recognising Wegovy as the first GLP-1 to have been approved for MASH.

Over 200 HCPs in more than 250 posts shared the approval news. Hepatologist Ramon Bataller expressed that the approval was a “big milestone.” This post was shared by 58 HCPs, generating over 40,000 impressions. Similarly, another hepatologist, Thomas Cotter, stated that this is a “huge step forward.”

HCPs further noted that GLP-1s, including semaglutide, have shown effectiveness across a range of metabolic treatment indications. Endocrinologist Beverly Tchang stated that “semaglutide is becoming the Swiss Army knife for clinicians who treat metabolic diseases”, while obesity medicine physician, Nisha Patel, expressed that “reducing [GLP-1s] to weight loss is lazy, outdated, and wrong.” These viewpoints emphasise the expanding role of GLP-1s across a broad spectrum of metabolic indications.

4. COVID-19 Vaccines

Online discussions among HCPs surged on 28 August in response to the FDA’s approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines, which included restrictions on eligibility. This followed shortly after the FDA officially rescinded the Covid vaccine Emergency Use Authorisations. Over 160 HCPs posted more than 230 times about FDA’s decisions around Covid vaccination. 

In response to the FDA revoking emergency use of Covid-19 vaccines, many HCPs welcomed the news. In particular, emergency physician and vaccine sceptical activist Simone Gold stated “Mandates are dead. Freedom wins.” This post was shared by over 40 HCPs, generating more than 800,000 impressions.

Other HCPs expressed concerns about the FDA’s decisions around covid vaccination. Radiologist Ian Weissman highlighted that this presents “new barriers to access for millions of who would have to prove their risk & millions more who may want to get vaccinated & no longer qualify.” Another radiologist reinforced a view that the FDA were “putting even harsher restrictions on access to the COVID vaccine (which actually do work).”  These reactions offer a glimpse into the diverse and polarising views of HCPs around covid vaccination.

The three most shared stories from HCPs discussing product launches were:

  1. An PR Newswire article announcing the accelerated approval of Wegovy (semaglutide) in MASH – 70 HCP posts gaining more than 314,000 impressions.
  2. A Bayer press release about the FDA’s approval of Finerenone (Kerendia) for Heart Failure – 57 HCP posts gaining over 872,000 impressions.
  3. A Press Release announcing the FDA’s approval of Brinsupri (brensocatib) as the first and only treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis  – 33 HCP posts, gaining more than 92,000 impressions.

Each quarter, CREATION.co tracks the HCP conversation relating to new product launches.

 

You can keep up to date with this and a variety of other topics including virtual congress, healthcare changes since the pandemic, product development and therapy area-specific insights within the Tracking section of CREATION Knowledge, or sign up to receive our monthly eJournal with all of our latest HCP insights. 

To stay up to date, you can sign up to CREATION.co’s monthly eJournal.

Methodology

  • CREATION Pinpoint® listened to the discussions amongst online HCPs of pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals between 1 June and 31 August 2025.  
  • The data included mentions of drug approvals by the FDA, EMA, MHRA, NICE, and CHMP, as well as HCPs’ use of the phrase ‘drug approval’ in their posts.
  • Between 1 June and 31 August 2025, over 3,000 online HCPs worldwide made more than 8,500 references to new pharmaceutical product launches and drug approvals.

 

 

Share this article

Meet the Author

Jessica Fernandes

After attaining a 1st class degree in Theology from Durham University, Jessica returned to Kent to join the graduate programme here at CREATION.co. She uses her research and analytical skills to inform health strategy and serve clients.

Outside of work, Jessica loves to travel and visit historical landmarks. She also enjoys mini-golf and going out for brunch with friends and family.