Q1: Chronic dermatologic conditions can be physically painful, but the emotional scars—stigma, embarrassment, social anxiety—often go unnoticed. Your direct-to-consumer (DTC) campaign “Scratch Resistance” appears to recognize and amplify these dimensions. As Head of US Therapeutic Dermatology at Galderma, how do you ensure campaigns are developed with empathy, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity to truly make patients feel seen and heard, especially in the digital-first world?
Debra Hagan: “I love that question because it’s at the core of our belief system—really, my own belief system—and I’ve brought that as a shared endeavor to other leaders at my organization for people to be recognized for the burden that comes with skin diseases, and diseases in general. I’d love to work in dermatology because there’s a unique aspect to the dermatology community. The prescribers themselves are forward-thinking and friendly to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, recognizing the opportunity to partner and uncover the often-unseen burden of a patient’s condition.
What’s so interesting about dermatology is that it focuses on the skin. So, dermatologists are trained to treat what they see—but the reality is, there’s so much underneath the surface that doesn’t get addressed. I have worked with some of the world’s most renowned dermatologists, and they openly discuss the need for advanced training to treat patients with empathy, as they were essentially trained not to. Empathy isn’t typically the primary focus in traditional dermatological training.
With one of the products I’m currently working on, eczema or atopic dermatitis, the most burdensome symptom is itch. Traditionally, many providers would tell patients that the itch is ‘in your head.’ In some cases, they might not say it directly to patients, but peers in the field would commonly agree that the symptoms were psychological. But with advanced science, we now know something is happening inside the body’s nervous and immune systems that causes the itch—it’s not just psychological. This shift in scientific understanding necessitates a new approach to treatment, utilizing open-source insights to genuinely benefit patients.
The impact of this has been profound—not just for patients, but for how providers communicate. I’ve had a dermatologist tell me that, after using this approach, he would change the way he talks to patients. He expressed regret, feeling that it was unfortunate to have told patients for so long that it was in their heads, only to see new treatments reach the biological target and finally help patients stop itching. For some, this relief has come after decades with no solution, and it’s so rewarding to witness their quality of life change so dramatically.
Everything we do is built on this foundation of empathy—and in today’s digital-first world, digital engagement plays a critical role in amplifying patient voices and helping us reach people who might otherwise remain unseen.”
Q2: You’ve spoken about the importance of mental health awareness in dermatologic care, a critical issue for patients managing conditions like eczema, which often comes with psychological challenges such as anxiety, isolation, or self-image issues. With AI now playing an increasing role in both diagnostics and mental health support (e.g., digital mental health assistants, mood tracking, predictive care models), how do you see these innovations contributing to a more holistic care model in dermatology?
Debra Hagan: “I think there’s so much more we could be doing than we are right now. As an industry, we are behind in adopting AI to guide our strategies, but I see tremendous opportunities here to learn more and evolve.
There are only recently recommendations for integrating generative AI and predictive analytics using real-world patient data, which could truly evolve what we offer, especially with direct-to-consumer strategies. AI can provide us with much deeper insight into what patients experience—things we might miss during a clinic visit, but which are crucial to understanding the whole person. For example, tracking mood, offering tailored digital support, and predicting patient needs before they escalate—all these are ways AI can create a more holistic, patient-centered care model.
Digital tools, such as mental health assistants, symptom trackers, and personalized care, enable us better to support mental health as part of overall dermatologic care. They enable timely interventions, more accurate personalization, and an authentic connection with patients who might otherwise not feel seen or understood.”
Q3: In what ways are you using real-world evidence (RWE) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to guide product development and marketing decisions, especially in chronic conditions like eczema?
Debra Hagan: “We rely heavily on real-world evidence and patient-reported outcomes to guide not only the development of new treatments but also our product messaging and education. By collecting data directly from patients through digital engagement and platforms, we gain firsthand insight into their lived challenges, including effects and burdens we may not visibly observe but which deeply impact quality of life.
One example is the evolving understanding of eczema. For years, the medical community thought that the itch symptoms were psychological. Still, real-world patient input and scientific advances now demonstrate that it’s a biological response linked to both the immune and nervous systems. By acknowledging and integrating patient experiences, we can validate the efficacy of therapies and also improve how providers communicate with patients.
The result is not just more effective products, but messaging that genuinely honors what patients experience, which makes a real difference in trust and satisfaction. The change in provider communication, for instance—moving away from dismissing symptoms and instead treating patients with empathy and scientific accuracy—has been transformative. That’s why we collect and use this data: to help patients feel seen and heard, and ensure our innovations are truly addressing real needs.”
Q4: For those who want to enter the life sciences industry, what would be your advice in terms of developing skill sets and experience?
Debra Hagan: “My advice goes beyond just developing a foundation in science. Yes, that is essential—but to really make an impact, you need to embrace empathy and see patients as whole individuals, not just as cases. Advanced training is becoming increasingly important—not just in handling clinical data, but also in recognizing the invisible burdens and cultural contexts that shape the patient’s experience.
Given how essential digital engagement is today, I encourage emerging professionals to develop digital literacy and become comfortable working with new technologies. Engage with patients and providers via these platforms, and don’t underestimate the power of personal stories and real-world feedback. Those who succeed in the life sciences—and especially in dermatology—are the ones who bring together scientific rigor, digital innovation, and a genuine human connection. The most impactful work happens exactly at that intersection.”
Debra Hagan:
With more than 20 years of experience, she is a results-driven, patient-centric commercial leader recognized for building high-performing brands and organizations across diverse therapeutic areas. Her leadership has delivered multiple blockbuster product launches, consistently achieving rapid uptake and outperforming competitors through strategic vision, strong brand marketing, and high-performing teams. As VP and General Manager, Head of US Therapeutic Dermatology at Galderma, she has driven organizational growth, expanded market leadership, and led the launch of breakthrough products, contributing to significant stock and sales growth while optimizing patient and provider experiences.
Her previous leadership roles at AbbVie, Janssen, and Novo Nordisk demonstrate her entrepreneurial spirit and expertise in developing and executing innovative commercial strategies, first-in-class campaigns, and superior brand positioning, which often result in surpassing business projections and industry benchmarks. Known for developing talent and cultivating collaborative, solutions-oriented teams, she excels at analyzing complex issues and delivering actionable strategies that yield substantial results. An award-winning executive and sought-after industry contributor, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Wagner College.
Partha Anbil is a Contributing Writer for the MIT Sloan Career Development Office and an alumnus of MIT Sloan. Besides being the VP of Programs of the MIT Club of Delaware Valley, Partha is a long-time veteran in the life sciences consulting industry. He is a Senior Advisor to NextGen Invent Corporation, an AI, Data Analytics, and digital transformation company as well as to AI Startups such as Ecotoneai, MediQlogix, and Alma Ai. He has held senior leadership roles at WNS, IBM, Booz & Company (now PWC Strategy&), IMS Health Management Consulting Group (now IQVIA), and KPMG. He can be reached at partha.anbil@alum.mit.edu
Michael Wong is a Contributing Writer for the MIT Sloan Career Development Office and an Emeritus Co-President and board member of the Harvard Business School Healthcare Alumni Association. Michael is a Part-time Lecturer for the Wharton Communication Program at the University of Pennsylvania, and his ideas have been shared in the MIT Sloan Management Review and Harvard Business Review.
