HSCNews International reports on the results of its December 2009 annual review of patient group opinions of the pharmaceutical industry. 665 patient groups from 47 countries told HSCNews what they thought about the industry in 2009. The patient groups’ opinions have allowed HSCNews to analyse pharma industry trends during 2009 across five regions of the world (Australasia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; and Latin America), and in six medical specialties (common cancers; rare cancers; diabetes; HIV/AIDS; mental health; and neurological conditions). The patient groups replying to the annual review commented on the quality of pharma company relationships with patient groups in 2009. They also gave their views on pharma performance in 2009, according to seven patient group-oriented indicators (innovating to meet patients’ needs; providing information to patient groups; creating relationships with patient groups; being transparent about relationships with patient groups; being trustworthy; managing conflicts of interest; and managing adverse news about products). Finally, the 665 patient groups considered pharma’s record in 2009 on various activities (innovation; marketing; truthfulness and accuracy in communications to patients; ensuring product safety; disease-awareness campaigns; pricing policies, and getting products reimbursed). Where possible, HSCNews has compared the results from this 2009 annual review with those of the previous year (2008), to highlight changing trends. The next issue of HSCNews (February 2010) will report the 665 patient groups’ opinions on pharma company strategies to improve relationships with patient groups; on corporate strategies aimed at helping poorer patients during the 2009 global recession; and on the performance of the top-15 pharma companies (rankings determined by the groups themselves).