I agree with you regarding the hyprocrisy of this firing. I was in medical equipment sales for 12 years and we were very motivated to sell, sell, and sell some more. It’s highly competitive amongst other companies AND internally with the sales reps as we are so competitive, we want to be the best salesperson in the division or company. GE Medical is where I ended my career in sales and our sales managers used as much “imagery” as possible to keep us driven. Working outside of the medical field is really no different. It was up to the individual sales rep to keep his ethics in line and not do shady deals (like selling to overseas exporters when there was an international division). I would expect no difference in pharmaceutical sales…I’d be in it for the money as well. My only issue with pharmaceutical sales is the “off-label” selling controversy.

Zoloft. Zoloft side effects.

I understand your comments and certainly it is because of the fact that we are talking about a medicine that this is an issue at all.

However, the frustrating thing to me is that we are not a socialized medicine and healthcare country. Astrazeneca competes with many others for sales of their products. They must utilize a sales force to do this. This sales force must try to get doctors to write prescriptions for their treatments as opposed to someone else’s.

It is hypocritical to have such a system and not allow a sales force to do it’s job.

I liken this to the people who can eat meat as long as they don’t see the cow slaughtered.
(I happen to be a vegetarian for 32 years)

Best regards
MLK

Thanks for writing.

I understand your point. I have been immersed in this issue for two weeks now, and your observation has been debated endlessly, both on CafePharma and in some of my own private e-mails with others keeping tabs on this matter.

Forgive me if I appear to be lecturing, because I don’t intend to do so, but I think some people interpret these remarks differently because the subject is a medicine - a cancer med, no less - and because the pharma industry has come to be viewed with so much skepticism over pricing and promotion.

That’s unfortunate. But that’s the reality and the perception. Mike Zubillaga is the Don Imus of his industry.

I appreciate that you stopped by.

ed

He did not discuss the efficacy of a particular drug, it is entirely appropriate for him to tell his reps this.

The PC police have invaded once again.