Talking the talk

Hello reader. It’s wonderful to have you here for my official launch as a PharmaTimes columnist. And, naturally, an official launch merits a proper introduction.
As you may have gleaned from the column title, my name is Jess Farmery, and almost seven years ago the gods of nominative determinism delivered me into a career in health PR and communications.

Fun fact: my identical twin sister, Alice, took the only other option on the table and now works in agriculture communications. From pharma to farmers – I am not joking.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve had the privilege of working with a brilliant range of companies across the tech and life sciences spectrum.

That includes everything from teeny start-ups with world-changing ideas to global drug developers fundamentally reshaping healthcare delivery.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, I became completely obsessed with the mechanics of media, press and comms – yes, even crisis and reputation management.

Navigating complex regulations while dialling up creativity to the max, keeping a laser focus on patients’ lived realities, and building a network of talented journalists is now my idea of a very good time.

What makes it even better is collaborating with some of the smartest people in the world within a sector that is constantly evolving and being buffeted by global storms.
I don’t think I’d trade it for any other job (though, in another life, I’d be a swimming teacher on a tropical island – perhaps I’ll keep that on the back burner for retirement).

For the eagle-eyed amongst you, I’ll admit it’s not the first time my byline has appeared in these pages.

I had the pleasure of contributing a flurry of advice articles earlier in 2026. Because they delivered more clicks and shares than furious letters of complaint, the Editor has kindly furnished me with a corner of the magazine on a rolling monthly basis.

But how could I possibly have enough to say to keep a discerning crowd like you intrigued for months to come?

It’s a valid question.

Having accepted that my own well of wisdom is somewhat shallow, I’ve lined up the crème de la crème of pharma comms talent to share their insights.

Expect a punchy mini-interview series, interspersed with my own musings and the occasional nugget of advice.

We’re going to dig into the most exciting projects and challenges across the sector, exploring how organisations are adapting their comms mix for the realities of 2026.

Ideally, you’ll leave each month with food for thought and a couple of fresh ideas to make you look good in front of your boss.

My door is always open for suggestions, nominations and feedback.

Please do slide into my LinkedIn DMs to tell me who I should be speaking to and which topics we should be dissecting.

Right, let’s do this – I’ll see you next month.

Jess Farmery is Senior Account Director, Health at Lexington Communications