This paper deals with the provision of Competitor Intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry, with specific reference to the role of "formal" information services. The nature of Competitor Intelligence in general is outlined, and the means for its provision are reviewed. The particular significance of Competitor Intelligence for the pharmaceutical industry is discussed, and the most important sources are described. The results of a survey, based around semi-structured interviews, of ten information units providing Competitor Intelligence to British pharmaceutical companies are presented. The survey identifies the organisation of intelligence provision, its place in the organisation, sources used, means of information analysis and dehvery, and use of technology. The significance of the results for the information professional is discussed.
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