To help you get the most from your PharmaSUG experience, we're pleased to offer papers in twelve diverse academic sections this year. Enjoy long-time favorites like Coders Corner and Hands-On Workshops or dig into new and exciting topics like Data Visualization and Graphics. Hard-core programmers will be salivating over our new section focused entirely on advanced programming techniques while newer SAS users can build a firm foundation in a section just for them. There is something for everyone at PharmaSUG 2012!

Applications Development: Programs, systems, utilities, and productivity tools developed with SAS software, plus an overview of the code and techniques used in the development process.

Coders Corner: Tips and tricks, useful nuggets of programming, and techniques that make common tasks easier. This is a fast-paced section of 10-minute presentations that are concise and tightly-focused.

Data Standards and Quality: Discussion of industry data standards such as CDISC, implementation strategy, pilot and case studies, data management and quality, and submission experiences.

Data Visualization and Graphics: Creation of reports and graphs, discussion of techniques for representing data to communicate effectively, and use of SAS tools such as SAS/GRAPH, ODS, GTL, and ODS Statistical Graphs.

Hands-On Workshops: Interactive workshops to provide attendees a “hands-on” opportunity to interact with SAS software along with third-party tools. Practice techniques in a classroom setting, equipped with 20+ computers, under the skillful guidance of seasoned experts. Topics vary widely. Invited Speakers only.

Health Outcomes and Epidemiology: The use of SAS in health care research focusing on patient-reported outcomes, registries, risk evaluation and mitigation strategies, and other post-submission activities. Topics will include analysis, visualization, summary report, and data mining techniques from various data sources such as surveys, call center, health claims, and post-marketing sources.

Industry Basics: Basic knowledge about concepts such as business intelligence and business strategy for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and health research industries.

Management and Support: Issues facing programmers, consultants, executives and front-line supervisors in today's pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Topics include recruiting and retention, programming metrics, temporary workforce challenges, interpersonal interactions, tips for new managers, effective training methods and programs for keeping your skills up to date, as well as effective use of support resources such as SAS technical support, discussion forums, users groups, and social networking sites.

Posters: Various SAS-related topics presented in a poster format rather than as a formal lecture. Posters are available throughput the conference and are ideal for displaying high-resolution graphics and innovative presentations. Authors are available during scheduled times to answer questions. Top-rated posters from other SAS user group conferences will also be on display.

Statistics & Pharmacokinetics: Implementation of statistical methods and advanced analytics to report results from all phases of clinical trials, public health studies, and healthcare research using SAS software.

Techniques & Tutorials - Advanced: Comprehensive explanations of sophisticated SAS programming techniques, detailed step-by-step "how to" guides, examples of using SAS to solve specific problems, and other innovative, high-level technical presentations geared for an audience of intermediate and advanced SAS programmers.

Techniques & Tutorials - Foundations: Straightforward explanations of fundamental SAS programming techniques, simple step-by-step "how to" guides, examples of using SAS to solve specific problems, and other basic, foundational technical presentations geared for an audience of beginner and intermediate SAS users.