PR and Med Ed news in brief

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced plans for Nicorette to sponsor next yearís Nascar Busch Series at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The race, which will be renamed the Nicorette 300, will take place on March 18 and be the first ever Nascar race to be sponsored by a smoking cessation product. ìThe Nicorette 300 race will be an excellent opportunity to raise awareness among Nascar fans about quitting smoking,î said Bill Slivaka, vice-president of GSK Consumer Healthcareís Smoking Control Products.

Earlier this year, Nicorette became the first smoking cessation sponsor in Nascar with an associate sponsorship on Chip Ganassi Racing Teamís No 41 Dodge Charger. GSK is also further raising awareness for clinically-proven smoking cessation therapies and providing stop smoking counselling with an exhibit in the winnerís circle at 23 Nascar Nextel Cup Series races this year.

Full of Eastern promise

Chandler Chicco Agency has formed a strategic alliance with Eastwei, Chinaís leading local public relations agency. The move furthers the agencyís commitment to establish a healthcare communications network in Asia, where it struck a deal with Macoll in Korea earlier this year. Eastwei has more than 45 employees in offices located in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. The Chinese agency represents major US and European healthcare clients, including Bayer and Roche.

ìThis is a critical juncture for healthcare in China. Healthcare is now a top priority for the Chinese government, spawning an enormous need for communication and education in the pharmaceutical arena,î said Johan Bjˆrksten, principal of Eastwei Relations.

In safe hands

PasantÈ Healthcare is joining the fight to stamp out MRSA with the launch of Safe Hands, a hand sanitiser proven to kill the hospital-acquired infection. Safe Hands, which is instant-foaming and can be carried in handbags and briefcases, will go on sale in supermarkets and pharmacies within a month. The media relations campaign for Safe Hands, run by Starfish Communications, will include comments from MRSA experts and other healthcare professionals.