Author Archive | Bob Ehrlich

Prevention Marketing and Role of Pharma ?An unhealthy America is a weak America.? -Bob Ehrlich There is no doubt that America?s real national security crisis is our poor health habits. We tend to obsess about bombs hidden in a terrorist?s underwear but the costs in money and lives are definitely higher from our own bad […]

Testosterone Use- Critics Blame DTC ?A dose of personal responsibility is needed, not hammering the advertiser.? -Bob Ehrlich The DTC critics have a new target and testosterone replacement is this week?s story. There has been rapid growth of male hormone replacement sales more than doubling since 2006. A Bloomberg story from May 2 has received […]

Diabetes Nation ?This crisis is … the most obvious threat to our national security. -Bob Ehrlich America will become plagued by massive incidence of diabetes according to The Institute of Alternate Futures. By 2025 they predict 53.1 million people will have diabetes. That is a 64% increase from 2010. It does not matter what system […]

FDA Could Approve More Rx to OTC ?Pharmacist diagnosis and OTC treatment is not a bad alternative.? -Bob Ehrlich In a move causing significant debate and emotion, the FDA is considering making more Rx drugs available. FDA held a hearing March 22-23 on the subject. They have the comment period running through this week. The […]

Obamacare Debate at the DTC National ?I prefer a private system to squeeze costs…? -Bob Ehrlich Yes, I know Obamacare is not the name of the health reform act. I was reminded of that by one of the speakers supporting the law. That being acknowledged I will continue to use the term throughout this column […]

Consumers Ration Spending on Drugs ?Consumer product advantages need to be considered early on…? -Bob Ehrlich The economy has not surprisingly impacted consumer spending behavior on healthcare. IMS released some interesting data in their report on use of medicines in the United States. While spending in 2011 rose 3.7% to $320 billion, it was only […]

Detailing and Sampling Declines and DTC ?DTC is an easy to execute alternative option to offer information.? -Bob Ehrlich The trend is clear. Drug companies have dramatically cut detailing and sampling in the past 5 years. According to ZS Associates, reps totaled 102,000 in 2007 and are projected to be at 75,000 in 2012. TNS […]

Health Care Costs Remain a Consumer Mystery ? ?Open and transparent cost information will drive prices down.? -Bob Ehrlich Today consumers have a wealth of online price information on almost everything they buy. If you want the best price, a little research can get you the tools to negotiate well. You can compare costs across […]

How Onerous is DTC Pre-Submission? ? ?I do not see this guidance as a big deal.? -Bob Ehrlich FDA just issued its draft guidance on pre-submitting DTC television ads at least 45 days in advance of airing. This is to ensure that FDA gets to see ads before they air for brands they feel might […]

FDA to Study Corrective DTC ? ?I applaud this study..how to manage the corrective remedy.? -Bob Ehrlich Here is a topic that is clearly under-studied. If a drug company violates FDA promotional DTC regulations, is corrective advertising actually an appropriate remedy in correcting the original consumer misimpressions? While corrective advertising has been assumed to help […]