Tell us about your background and how you ended up in your current position at Mericon?

“I graduated as cand.pharm. from the University of Oslo in 1992,” Janne begins. After spending some time working in pharmacies and at the editorial office of Felleskatalogen, she returned to Skien and Grenland, where she discovered Mericon. “My work at Felleskatalogen sparked my interest in regulatory pharmaceutical work, so I contacted Mericon, and it turned out they needed a temporary employee. That temporary position later became permanent, and I’ve stayed here ever since”.

Since 2002, she has worked with the approval of pharmaceutical advertising, a field that has grown significantly. “For the past 10 years, I’ve primarily been working with marketing compliance, a field that has become increasingly regulated and brings exciting challenges.”

What does a typical workday look like for you, and what do you enjoy most about working with our clients and suppliers?

Janne describes her workdays as varied and engaging. “I’m usually one of the last to arrive at the office—such is the life of a night owl,” she says with a smile. She enjoys working in an office environment where she can discuss cases with her colleagues. “Discussions are essential in this field. There are a lot of judgments to be made, and being part of a marketing compliance team allows us to get multiple perspectives on complex cases.”

When it comes to working with clients, Janne highlights the relationships as a major motivating factor. “I really enjoy the direct contact with our clients and the opportunity to help them stay compliant while achieving their marketing goals.”

What do you do at Mericon, and what is your specific role regarding marketing compliance and regulatory expertise in pharmaceutical marketing?

“I work with marketing compliance, which encompasses everything from advertising to interactions with healthcare professionals and the general public.” Janne guides clients in adhering to marketing regulations and assists with both consulting and approving advertising materials and activities.

As a consultant, she often becomes an integrated part of the client’s team, especially when companies need additional staffing and expertise. The variety of tasks makes the work both exciting and challenging.

What is the best thing about working at Mericon, and what motivates you in your job?

“The most rewarding aspect of my job is the ability to merge academic expertise with hands-on consulting. Quality assurance feels like a natural progression from my pharmaceutical education, and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to guide clients through the complexities of regulatory frameworks.”

“What I value most about Mericon is our status as a small company with exceptional expertise and a flat organizational structure,” Janne shares. “What brings me the most satisfaction is the collaboration and meaningful discussions we have, both within the compliance team and across the company’s fields of expertise.”

How do you stay updated on changes in legislation and regulations related to pharmaceutical advertising?

“I attend annual specialist courses organized by Legemiddelindustriforeningen (LMI) and actively participate in their compliance group,” she says. Janne also closely follows updates from the Norwegian Medical Products Agency (NOMA).

“To ensure everyone at Mericon stays updated, we provide thorough training for new employees. New hires will undergo 6-12 months of training in the relevant legislation before they are considered independent consultants.”

Recently, NOMA has conducted several advertising inspections and issued decisions on breaches of advertising regulations. This emphasises the importance of maintaining strong expertise in marketing compliance. “At Mericon, we are committed to staying ahead in this area, ensuring that our clients receive guidance that is both up-to-date and aligned with regulatory expectations,” Janne explains.

Can you share a specific example of a challenge or case that has been particularly interesting or demanding in your work with marketing compliance?

“Interpreting regulations is often based on experience and can be demanding. One example is the evaluation of health and disease information, which must strike a balance between being informative without being classified as advertising,” she explains. “International companies often face challenges adapting to Norwegian regulations, which can differ from those in their home markets. My role is to help them understand and implement these requirements effectively. We also observe differences within the Nordic countries, both in the legislation itself and in the meaning of specific terms across the various languages.”

What do you think are the biggest challenges and opportunities for marketing compliance in the pharmaceutical industry in the coming years?

“Digitalization, including advancements in artificial intelligence, presents both challenges and opportunities. Healthcare professionals and patients increasingly demand tailored information, placing significant emphasis on quality assurance.

Such matters must be managed in compliance with current legislation and are subject to oversight by NOMA, which regulates written marketing materials and the pharmaceutical industry’s engagements with these groups.”