Are ABCR drug companies trying a little too hard?

agate

I don't post all of the notices I get in the mail about panel discussions, teleconferences, Web events, seminars, etc., that are sponsored by one or another of the pharmaceutical companies that bring us Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, or Rebif. But I get a lot of these notices. You probably do too.

Are they trying too hard, maybe, to call attention to their product? Or are they just being ultra-generous?

I've seen notices advertising conferences where a free dinner or lunch is served, and notices advertising Web events where you can win a prize, like a camcorder.

The latest (which you can see in the MS Research forum) is a Seattle-area event, sponsored by MS Active Source (= Avonex), involving David Lander ("Squiggy" to people who watched "Laverne and Shirley"), AND five of the big-name neurologists in the area.

All of this is free, and you get "complimentary evening hors d'oeuvres" and "complimentary valet parking."

I called the 800 number to find out what the code letter in the lower right corner of the notice meant. I thought maybe they were making sure that only those people who got the notices could attend--because maybe they wouldn't have enough room for everyone otherwise?

"Oh, no," said the woman's voice on the phone. "We always schedule these events in huge public places where we could seat thousands."

I can't help wondering why they're trying so hard. Are they trying hard to help those of us who have MS? I hope so, but somehow the idea of the "profit motive" keeps popping up in my mind.

I realize they're competing because the chances are that one MS patient will be on one and only one of the four ABCR drugs at a time (and may opt not to be on any of them). Could that be what's behind all of these giveaways?

Or might they be having more trouble marketing the ABCRs than they anticipated?

If you look at the research articles that come out regularly, you'll find a fair number of them dealing with getting better patient compliance on the ABCR drugs and struggling with the reasons why patients discontinue them.....

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

LoLo · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 253 Location: Boston

Hmmnn...no, but boy, you've made me think.

I went to ONE seminar - the day after my very first Avonex shot, and I wanted to die. It was interesting, but one always remembers that this is not philanthropy, it's business.

Now, I weed out the obvious invitations and toss them in the trash, unopened.

lady_express_44 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1314 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Sounds like a cult meeting to me, Agate. geek

_________________
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers.
You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
Naguib Mahfouz

agate · Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:33 pm Post subject:

I find it hard to believe that all of those big-name neuros are going to show up just to say something to some MS patients.

I'll bet they were invited to participate and may even have agreed to, but when the seminar time rolls around, the audience will learn that--oops! Drs. X, Y, and Z weren't able to make it. Maybe one or two of the neuros will be there....

Or maybe they're being handsomely paid to show up?

LoLo · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 253 Location: Boston

I don't know. But the one that I did attend had 2 neuros. I think they tend to show up.

I'm sure there's money involved.

lady_express_44 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1314 Location: Vancouver, Canada

The part that I hate is that I feel we are being manipulated by the pharma companies. Unfortunately, most MS'ers are NOT very informed, and YES it's their fault, but not all are as healthy, astute or computer savy.

That was always my biggest concern with Tysabri coming on the market; will the average person be fully informed of the risk? I think that lots of lobbying against Tysabri helped initiate the TOUCH program, and I am VERY glad that it it was implemented.

I think there is a lot of misleading information out there too, although proponents will say that a PROPER analysis of the stats/details are not "right". I am SO glad there are people like Mark (xo) out there being OBJECTIVE and communicating the facts. It can be disheartening, but at least it's on the table.

Cherie
_________________
You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers.
You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.
Naguib Mahfouz

agate · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006 5:50 pm Post subject:

More evidence on how hard the pharma companies are trying: On November 15 there will be yet another "live conference" in the Seattle area, sponsored by MS Active Source again, and again offering complimentary valet parking and free hors d'oeuvres, plus three fairly big-name neuros and a patient advocate.

If you played your cards right, you might be able to go a long way toward solving your food problem by attending an MS event with free food every day of the week....

LoLo · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 253 Location: Boston

The gas problem would outweigh the food problem for me - these things are never anywhere near me, it seems. I mean, my gawd, I work in Boston, the medical hub of the galaxy, you can't take a step without tripping over a hospital or medical university...wouldn't one think they'd hold these things there? At least there's public transportation there. But no, hardly ever. Always 40 or so miles outside the city at some hotel in the middle of East BF.