IMS HEALTH Launches New Tracking Service In France 21/08/00 IMS HEALTH has launched its PharmaTrend(TM) Micro over-the-counter (OTC) tracking service in France to enable French manufacturers to monitor the consumer sales of products at a regional level throughout the country. PharmaTrend Micro is customised to reflect specific territories of individual sales representatives calling on French pharmacies, providing a clearer picture of OTC market dynamics in France, and enabling better decision-making in the allocation of sales and marketing resources. According to Francois Thevenin, general manager, SelfMedication, IMS HEALTH France, "PharmaTrend Micro delivers consumer data associated with the percentage of self medication versus prescription, at a tailor-made, regional level - for the first time in France. This information is essential in our country, where prescribed and non-prescribed products are in direct competition. PharmaTrend Micro is a mission-critical tool that supports OTC sales territory management at the sales representative level." PharmaTrend Micro is a member of the IMS HEALTH PharmaTrend family of services. These provide insights into consumer sales of OTC and personal care products so allowing manufacturers and marketers to get a detailed picture of the impact of new product introductions, promotional and advertising strategies, consumer behaviour, and short and long term branding investments.