Comments on: Bloggers Do What?

By: HealthCareVox

HealthCareVox — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:21:56 +0000

A Few Words About The Johnson & Johnson Blogger Dinner

Johnson and Johnson invited a number of bloggers to a private dinner a few days ago in New York City to talk about social media and healthcare/pharmaceutical industry-focused blogs. Among those attending were Ed Silverman of Pharmalot, Jim Edward…

By: ed

ed — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:27:34 +0000

To heknows:

This is a very good observation. Thank you. Just for the record, so there’s no confusion, I didn’t accept payment, nor was it offered. And I repeated my insistance about paying for dinner to three J&J people and received a commitment about the payment procedure I described in my post in front of others.

And yes, I’m well aware of these little dinners, but had no problem attending so long as I paid my own way. I hope there was no misunderstanding about my appearance.

I’m glad you raised this issue, though, because it’s an interesting reminder, or introduction, certainly, for many peoplle about such gatherings. Again, thanks for writing.

And to Insider: I did poke Jeff Leebaw once about his fear of being subpoenaed. He laughed a bit nervously, but who can blame him? If Scooter Libby can easily be made into a fall guy, imagine what could happen to a poor guy in corporate pr? :)

I believe Jim at BrandWeek wrote about it, but I’ve no idea whether anyone else insisted on paying. Keep in mind, that some of these folks are bloggers, but may not think of themselves as journalists. I think one fellow is an emergency room doctor, but I’m not sure. So its hard for me to know if paying for dinner was even an issue for everyone.

In any event, you never know - such situations can be devlish fun!

By: heknows

heknows — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 20:06:22 +0000

Here is how it works in Canada and with big pharma cos. like J&J:
They have invented “advicory board” meetings to which specilaists of thier choice are invited to “give adice”. These are in fact so called “group dinner meetings” where promotion of a drug is done by an “authority” who does a talk in which he pushes the sponsoring Co product. Not only the specialists do not pay for their ($1-300) dinner they get paid $500-1000, for their “advice” that never happenes. This payoff is for showing up and also to butter them up for future use of the drug promoted.
“heknows” invited numerous doctors to such “advicory board” during his last years with the big pharma. Some would not come for some good reason, but ONLY one refused to come because he thought it was not ethical to get paid for this type of thing by the big pharma co. Believe it or not his name was Dr. Good. Go figure.

By: Insider

Insider — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:18:40 +0000

Well done Ed. Thank you for the update.

Did you ask the J&J folks how things were getting along with their “improper payments in two small-market countries” issue? Oh and how about their three subpoenas from U.S. attorneys related to sales and marketing of three of its prescription drugs. How are they coming along?

“Who’s legit” my arse! (to quote a popular English comedian).

Lets see which of the other bloggers mention last night….

By the way. What did the others do about the cost of the meal?

Now that would be getting closer to full disclosure!

When you sup with the devil, best use a long spoon!

;-)