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 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
April 6, 2012
Consumers Ration Spending on Drugs
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 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
March 30, 2012
Detailing and Sampling Declines and DTC
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 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
March 23, 2012
Health Care Costs Remain a Consumer Mystery
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 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
March 16, 2012
How Onerous is DTC Pre-Submission?
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 -Bob Ehrlich FDA just issued its draft guidance on pre-submitting DTC television ads at least 45 days in advance of airing.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 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
March 9, 2012
FDA to Study Corrective DTC
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 […]
By Bob Ehrlich
March 2, 2012
How Big Can The Obesity Category Be?
How Big Can The Obesity Category Be? ? ?78 million adult Americans are classified as obese.? -Bob Ehrlich After the advisory panel recommended Qnexa approval 20-2 last week, Matthew Herper of Forbes wrote a very interesting column questioning the potential of the obesity drug category. His piece was titled, ?Why No Obesity Drug Will Ever […]
By Bob Ehrlich
February 24, 2012
A 20-2 Win For Obesity Drug
A 20-2 Win For Obesity Drug ? ?Qnexa will be a major blockbuster.? -Bob Ehrlich I am happy to see the advisory panel to the FDA overwhelmingly recommend approval of Vivus drug Qnexa. This was the second try by Vivus with the panel, who rejected it late 2010. I was critical of FDA for delaying […]
By Bob Ehrlich
February 17, 2012
Television Defense-The Sequel
Television Defense-The Sequel ? ?Mr. LaMattina?s column will only inflame critics.? -Bob Ehrlich I feel like Michael Corleone. I just thought I finished my defense of DTC television and now I am forced to get back in. This week(2/15) Forbes website ran a column from ex-Pfizer R&D chief John LaMattina titled ?Maybe it?s Time for […]
By Bob Ehrlich
February 10, 2012
DTC Television Fading? I Doubt it.
DTC Television Fading? I Doubt it. ? ?Those who predict the end of television will be wrong.? -Bob Ehrlich The New York Times ran an article on its website on 2/2/12 with the headline ?Drug Makers Dial Down DTC Advertising.? The article says spending on television is down 20% since 2007. The reporter, Bruce Japsen, […]
