Randy,
I can not tell you as a percentage of
sales what is spent on advertising, which is the only real measure of cost, not
total dollars. I can tell you that pharmaceutical representatives do
receive intensive training on the drugs they represent and in particular new
drugs. Since they, many times, are a conduit for this information to the
doctors and in particular the benefits of new drugs verses existing
drugs. Prescription drug use has increased because drugs have become more
cost effective than alternative measures. They are, many times, less
intrusive, and because of the long testing required prior to sale often with
better track records than prior solutions. Sometimes the new drugs
eliminate some of the side effects of older less costly drugs but for me that
is called progress not a problem. It is also the reason prices go up as
they are protected by patents to ensure stockholders get a return for their R
& D investment. Profits are not immoral they are the fuel that allows
us to improve things and to create more.
If and when a drug becomes a huge money
maker because of advertising you can be assured competitors will enter the
market and price competition will follow. The prime example is the family
of drugs used for erectile dysfunction. How many men were too embarrassed
to discuss it with their doctor until the problem and options were offered via advertising?
Now the entire subject, is accepted as a medical problem with possible
solutions, some humor and is out of the closet. Advertising did it by prompting
people to ask questions.
Paul Double
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Randy Schenkat
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005
4:44 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: FW: [Winona] NY Times
Pharm reps article
Paul I like your ideas on us managing our health care more and
being in charge. I'm not sure that I watch enough television to see a
commercial that fits my possible medical complaints as they come up . But
there's ready access to more information than the mind can process.
I take Lipitor... I just did a Google Search and found 3,560,000
Hits.. (I'd report back in a couple days which ones I find most helpful
if my wife relieves me of my weekend duties) I'd be curious
to know how much my cost of Lipitor is affected by advertising percentage
wise? Also, what hard information is conveyed in advertising that
really helps informed choice? It seems to me it's just to create brand
awareness? Have drug sales significantly increased since prescription
drugs are more widely advertised? Randy
Schenkat
[Winona Online Democracy]
I disagree with Craig and others on
Advertising-
While I have faith in my doctor that does
not mean they know everything about every drug. I want to be informed
about new drugs just like new products which may make my life better. I want to
be "in charge" of my healthcare and advertising enables me to make
choices along with my doctor. If I see a benefit I want the choice to buy
it and pay for it with or without insurance. One of my son's is a
pharmaceutical representative and I have more faith in his product
knowledge on his products than the doctors he services due to his in depth
training on his company's products and their knowledge of competitive
products. It is also my understanding than the practice of entertainment
etc. has been eliminated some time ago by most of the major pharmaceutical
companies.
I never want my access to new products to
be censored by anyone and in particular by someone who may have my life in
their hands. Knowledge is power but staying on top of one's profession is
much more difficult than most are willing or able to do because of their daily
work load. Give me advertising and the ability to ask questions over
being dependent on rationed solutions or conclusions.
Paul Double
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Randy Schenkat 1358 Skyline Dr. Winona, Mn
55987 507-452-7168
