“Healthcare M&A is surging,” wrote Forbes in a recent article entitled, “The Healthcare M&A Wave.” 

The pharma industry saw $65 billion in deals for the first quarter of 2026, the highest figure since 2020, with 16 of them for $1 billion or more, according to recent data from PwC. 

PwC also reported that it expects dealmaking momentum to build through the second half of 2026, with activity anticipated to increase. Projected areas of particular focus for merger & acquisition (M&A) activity include consumer-led categories such as women’s health; GLP-1s and other next-generation obesity and metabolic therapies; prevention; and care-at-home.  

For healthcare marketers and agencies, the surge in M&A activity creates related needs for strategic media strategies.

Media strategies & healthcare M&A

Following a merger or acquisition in healthcare, a host of related media and marketing needs can arise.  

For example, when a company acquires a treatment that is outside of their usual vertical, they will need to understand market position, competition and the most efficient ways to reach that target audience. They will also need to understand the chain of influence through the HCP, payer, and patient audiences. 

Marketers and agencies need to be ready to adapt media planning strategy accordingly.

How Mediaspace Health can help

Mediaspace Health develops targeted media strategies that support the transitions associated with healthcare M&A. Mediaspace Health’s senior-level expert team advises clients and assists by:

• Defining the right audience;
• Building integrated plans;
• Balancing speed, targeting and regulatory compliance; and
• Driving measurable results.

With healthcare M&A surging, and the momentum predicted to continue, healthcare marketers and agencies will need to be ready to adapt their media strategies accordingly. Having the right strategic media-planning partner can make the difference in optimizing success.