You Can Do It!

Just a quick post as I wait for a shuttle to La Guardia, after having testified yesterday before the New York State Assembly Health Committee. They are considering a package of bills that would curtail some to the excesses of pharmaceutical marketing, and I was asked to retell the story of how I had been paid to get doctors to prescribe more Effexor.

The AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) was out in force, and they quoted the following disturbing e-mail that they had somehow obtained through their channels. I'm not sure which company was involved, but it is a pep talk from a sales manager to drug reps out in the field:

"Our goal is 50 or more scripts per week for each territory...If you are not achieving this goal, ask yourself if those doctors that you have such great relationships with are being fair to you. Hold them accountable for all of the time, samples, lunches, dinners, programs, and past preceptorships that you have provided or paid for and get the business!! You can do it!"

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