All Articles by Dan Abshear
Mr. Abshear recently divorced himself from "big pharma" after working for three of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world for over a decade. He continues to write primarily opinion pieces regarding what may be little known facts about the health care system- particularly the pharmaceutical industry, and his writings also include responses to the related writings of others as well on various internet sites.Before his pharmaceutical career, he was a patient caregiver for over a decade, which included being a medic (hospital corpsman) in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Are Drug Reps Really Necessary?
One of the main functions of pharmaceutical representatives is to provide free samples to doctors’ offices instead of what has historically been their vocation: implementing authentic and ethical persuasion via presentations. Yet presently, samples are a priority and delivering them is the primary function for drug reps, and these samples in themselves cost billions to the pharmaceutical industry. Yet arguably, samples are the most influential tool in influencing the prescribing habit of the healthcare provider. Let me be clear on that point: it's samples, not a representative, as the true catalyst of establishing the prescribing habits of a prescriber.
A Television As Your Doctor?
We often see advertisements on television for some type of medication -- usually one involved in a large-market disease and the commercial is sponsored by a big pharmaceutical company. This is called direct to consumer (DTC) advertising, and doctors would prefer they did not exist.Since 1997, when the FDA relaxed regulations regarding this form of advertising, the popularity of these commercials greatly increased. Now, the pharmaceutical industry spends around $5 billion annually on this gigantic media effort. Normally, the commercial airs within a year of the drug's approval, which raises safety concerns and involves money spent that could be applied to greater uses, according to many. But, we are dealing with a corporation here.
A Failed Attempt to Improve Perceived Greatness: The ENHANCE Trial
While it seems that sponsors of clinical trials usually end up with results that clearly favor their medicine, there are rare exceptions. Merck and Schering-Plough proved that with their disappointing ENHANCE Trial which many have heard about through the media.Vytorin is a combination pill for high cholesterol and contains Merck's Zocor, which is now generic, and Schering's Zetia, which works differently than Zocor -- one of many statin drugs.
The Human Injury of Lost Objectivity: An Insider’s Look into the Corruption of Clinical Trials
If I were to rate the corruptive tactics performed by big pharmaceutical companies, the intentional corruption of implementing fabricated and unreliable results of clinical trials would be at the top of the list. Pharmaceutical companies manipulate the trials they sponsor because of their power to control others involved in the process largely absent of regulation. This is a matter of requiring authenticity and, more importantly, assuring the safety of the public health.
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