PHILADELPHIA — Perspectives on the financial future of the pharmaceutical industry, an examination of trends that are impacting clinical decisions and a discussion about the effects of health care reform were among topics addressed at AmerisourceBergen Corp.’s ThinkLive Manufacturer Summit that was held here last month.

Larry Marsh, managing director of Barclays Capital, offered his insight on the future of pharmaceutical research and funding, the industry’s approach to acquisitions and mergers and the impact of biosimilars and generic drugs.

Amy Grogg, president of Xcenda (part of AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services) gave her opinions on technology’s impact on such areas as outcomes reporting, clinical pathways and patient ­compliance.

Attendees heard Peyton Howell, president of AmerisourceBergen Consulting Services, advise manufacturers on what actions they should take in light of health care reform and what impact the presidential and congressional election results could have on the industry.

Also of interest were discussions of a patient advocacy panel. Participants were Ayme Leong, president and chief executive officer of Healthy Motivation and spokeswoman for the United Nations Bone and Joint Decade; Brett Johnson, director of the International Cancer Advocacy Network; and Tracy Foster, president of AmerisourceBergen’s Lash Group. The panel asked the manufacturers to consider patients in the beginning stages of commercialization for drugs so that the manufacturers understand issues regarding packaging or symptoms of a specific disease state as well as getting patient input on the patient outcomes process. Patient access programs were also discussed.

In his remarks, AmerisourceBergen president and chief executive officer Steve Collis said he anticipates a slowdown in the brand-to-generic trend (the so-called patent cliff) in 2013 and predicted a resumption of top-line growth across the nation’s pharmaceutical industry for the following year. Part of that growth, he pointed out, will stem from the accelerating rate of Americans turning 65 and the subsequent impact on health care spending in the retail and primary care sectors, particularly in the Medicare ­program.

Collis conceded that new drug approvals will continue to be a challenge for the pharmaceutical industry, as will cost-containment pressures from both private and public insurers. But he believes that the specialty pharmaceuticals sector will outpace other industry units, as these drugs are administered beyond their traditional care settings.