Understanding the Struggle to Be Heard
Patient advocacy teams play a critical role in shaping outcomes for patients and the organizations that serve them — but getting internal recognition for that value can be an uphill battle. Why? Because in many companies, compliance and legal structures limit what advocacy professionals are allowed to say. Even when their work directly improves sales, reduces clinical trial costs, and strengthens company reputation, they’re often not permitted to make those connections clear.
Too many advocacy teams are under-resourced and overextended. Benchmarking can turn gut feelings into facts—and facts into funding. Let’s stop guessing and start supporting. #AdvocacyMatters #HealthcareLeadership
This internal silence often leaves advocacy teams unable to build a strong case for more resources, more staff, or more strategic input. Enter Archo — stepping in to say what advocacy teams can’t always say for themselves.
Backing Up Advocacy with Data
One of the most effective ways to elevate the credibility of advocacy teams is with real-world evidence. That’s exactly what Archo set out to do with the release of two powerful white papers. The first focuses on the tangible value of patient advocacy, breaking down how early involvement with patient communities can save money and improve outcomes.
“If we lay this groundwork up front,” the team explains, “we’re going to have better sales. If we get involved early with the patient community, we’re going to save money on clinical trials.”
Because advocacy teams are supposed to operate as non-commercial entities within their companies, they’re not always allowed to make those kinds of claims. But Archo can. With detailed examples and measurable outcomes, the white paper offers clear validation that advocacy isn’t just valuable — it’s essential.
Benchmarking the Advocacy Function
Archo’s second white paper, the BIOADVOCATE Benchmark, goes even deeper by offering advocacy teams a tool to compare their structure and resourcing against industry norms. For the first time, patient advocates can walk into leadership conversations with data on how their teams stack up in terms of size, budget, tenure, and organizational alignment.
The findings are eye-opening. Some teams, especially in oncology, may have three or four dedicated staff — which sounds reasonable until you consider that other companies have just one person covering upwards of 60 different cancer types. That’s not sustainable, and more importantly, it’s not fair to the patients they serve.
This gives those teams that are understaffed or under-resourced a resource to go back inside and have the conversation with executive leadership.
And it’s not just about asking for more help — it’s about showing, with data, that results could be better if more support were available.
Turning Insight Into Action
At Archo, the mission is simple and powerful: advocate for advocacy. That means more than just measuring success. It’s about equipping advocacy teams with the language, tools, and proof points they need to move their work forward — and be heard by decision-makers.
Patient advocacy teams often struggle to show their impact—because they’re not allowed to. It’s time we equip them with data, language, and leadership support to change that. #PatientAdvocacy #HealthEquity
This holistic approach recognizes that advocacy isn’t just one department’s job — it’s a strategic function that touches every part of the business. From clinical development to commercial success, patient engagement is no longer a “nice-to-have.” It’s a business-critical advantage.
What Comes Next?
The future of patient advocacy lies in visibility, credibility, and integration. Advocacy teams need to be part of early conversations — not brought in at the end to put a patient-friendly face on a pre-determined plan. Archo’s work gives these professionals the tools to step confidently into those earlier roles.
Companies that embrace this shift will not only see better business outcomes, they’ll also strengthen relationships with the very communities they serve. And they’ll send a message to internal teams that the patient voice is more than welcome — it’s needed.
Conclusion
Too often, advocacy professionals are expected to deliver results without being given the space, voice, or validation they need. By creating resources that quantify their impact and benchmark their work, Archo is helping to change that.
Patient advocacy is not just about being present — it’s about being powerful. And thanks to a growing movement to advocate for the advocates, that power is finally being recognized.