SixFive- Iam here, I just saw this thread now, but I think in the prior ddebate/conversation I outlined a few points that are being discussed here.
But before I get to the qoute below, let me also first reiterate how many $$$ from the Pharmaceutical companies are spent on the issuing of samples to clinics. Some Doctors will even prescribe different meds even if a lesser quality becasue they didn't have samples. Then throw in the sample abusing Doc's that like to give out a 6 months supply to each patient that comes in of whatever drug...and you also see a raise in cost. Unless it is a long term drug, sometimes the pharma companies never even see a prescription, so there is a loss in profit there as well. Remember how I mentioned the 12% markup on the pharma drugs form my company, it is not much higher or loew amongst the big three.
Let's also not forget the price gouging off the pharmacies on said products, and the intra industry lawsuits you may not hear much about from generic companies suing the larger pharma companies for rights to shorten a patent and make the generic version. One of my drugs in particular has a 19 year patent, (normal for the most part) the CEO of one of the generic companies cmes out in print and mentions that he will pursue lawsuits to shorten the patent, and even if he sues and loses for the next 14 years, it would still all be worth because of the profit they would make in the last 3-5 years. Now that is what I call screwed up!!!!
Now onto the quote:
dawgball said:
Good points.
My problem with the drug industry is how many reps that they have in the field. Doctors basically have to fight them off every day because it is so saturated. Reps have 6-7 other reps in the same company working the exact same geography (not large, btw). This is a huge waste of money in my opinion.
They now have "regulations" on what reps can spend on doctors. This works really well (sarcasm inserted).
This really depends on the type of docs being called on, and what the reps are selling. FAmily Practice docs see virtually every kind of rep, from consumer pharma, to Rx pharma. (Consumer pharma being Tylenol w/out Codeine, Aleve, etc.) and yes they sometimes do have to fight them off. But very rarely if ever is the same doc being seen for the same exact products. There may be some overlap, but it really depends on what position the products they are sellling are in.
If you go to specialty docs, such as Uro/gyn's or OBGYN's form which I call on about 65% of the time. I am warmly received and welcomed. ANd the atmosphere about generics is terrible, simply because they see immediate responses from patients about problems they have with generics. FP doc's typically don't seet hat because they will prescribe a generic Tylenol or something and not get a devastating or bothersome adverse event.
Als to put it into perspetive: I am responsible for around 100-120 clinics. I have around 475-535 Doctpr's and Registered NP's, and PA, that i am strictly repsonsible for thei prescribing habits. ot too mention Sally and Sue at the front, that I have to schmooze to get in the back, hence any HIPAA guidleness that are in affect prohibiting my visit, even if it's a clinic I can't get in to , I am still paid off of or damaged from their habits, even thought I have no way to discuss product with them.
I got sidetracked for a minute, but out of all of those docs and others that I see, how many times will i see them in a year do you think. )ALso depends on what type of Rx vlume they do in your class of drugs...to put it simoly on average I may see each doc around 5-6 times a year. (That's an average, some docs I will see 24x a year) Each of those times average out, comes to an average of around 10 minutes. So each doc on average gets about and our of sales and face time with me, and other reps for the year. Don't forget vacation, baby deliveries, days off, too busy, etc, also are reaosn I may not see a doc more. Using this realistic scenario you can see why there is overcoverage in certain areas but I dare to be they each are carrying somewhat different drugsin their bag, and talk about them in an entirely different and specific order depending on the doc. Add in the fact also that docs, usually switch too a couple different buildings a day or week, and you also will miss them.
I hope this sheds a light, and remember we are the Doc's first line of information for the most part, and we are well versed in good scientific studies, and our own products as well as our competitors. Remember, we are not a wasted $$$ sucking commodity, docs and patients want samples, (they are in the feel good business you know) and they need us to deliver, at that same point it is much easer learning from is, then their pother methods and reviews!
Have a great weekend!
