Epocrates and M3 Link for Physician Mega-Panel

Market research sample providers Epocrates and M3 Inc have partnered to create what they describe as 'the world's largest physician and healthcare provider panel' comprising 1.7 million panellists. Separately, M3 owned network Doctors.net.uk has promoted Dr Tim Ringrose to the post of CEO.

Epocrates' panel is made up of US physicians and other healthcare professionals who use the firm's mobile clinical reference application, while M3 operates physician communities across the world - including m3.com, MDLinx.com, Doctors.net.uk, Medquarter.de and Medigate.net. The firm is also a founding member of the Trust Alliance, launched recently to promote confidence in online physician research.

Aki Tomaru, M3's US CEO, comments: 'Both companies have established deep relationships with panel members, providing faster turnaround and more quality responders all over the world. The goal of this partnership is to create some of the best healthcare market research coverage globally, featuring more consistent and comprehensive solutions for the industry.'

Separately, Doctors.net.uk has promoted its former Medical Director Ringrose to the post of CEO, replacing Richard Adams who has left the company after more than four years. Reasons for his departure are unknown at the time of going to press.

As part of his mandate to further grow Doctors.net.uk's range of services, Ringrose has promoted former Head of Healthcare Communications Simon Grime to the position of Managing Director of the communications division, while the firm's market research division remains under the leadership of MD Anna Garofalo.

Adams - who began his career as a Product Manager with IMS Health - led the sale of Doctors.net.uk to M3 in August. Ringrose comments: 'Under Richard's leadership over the past four years, our business model and commercial focus has been transformed. We are incredibly grateful for all of his hard work.'

Web sites: www.epocrates.com and http://research.m3.com .