That’s the spirit! Nothing like the bonhomie created by laying off workers.

Is this more excuses for the ENHANCE Trial?

No, actually this is Dr Steve Nissen trying to explain away the results of his negative STRADIVARIUS Trial in the current issue of JAMA.

HaHaHA. So when Dr Nissen finds it convenient to explain away his own results he uses the same argument he dismisses summarily for the ENHANCE trial. He also touts the effects on biomarkers which he dismisses as meaningless in the ENHANCE trial.

So much for the scientific integrity of Dr Nissen and his friend in Vioxx litigation, Dr Krumholz. These guys have have no credibility as they just have an axe to grind with Merck and Schering. They keep touting all the supposed misconduct of the trial and don’t really want to address a scientific discussion of the trial that others are now turning to.

The money that has changed hands on individual and organizational levels will astound. They have no choice but to defend their income flow.

We are dealing with a crisis down here. One of our best and brightest young faculty members complained of an infected tooth and collapsed in the dentist’s office prior to having a root canal. He apparently is in septic shock with multiple organ failure. Very disturbing news and we’re all holding our collective breath.

Thanks I appreciate that. This Vytorin issue hits home with me. My Mother has had carotid artery replacement, and has been on Vytorin, since Zocor and Lipitor provided no benefit. She suffered a stroke and a blood cot to her colon. She has had severe cardiovascular disease for many years. Its a damned if you do, and damned if you dont situation.

1) Ally Development is the function within a company that makes grants to patient groups, physicians associations, etc. Their budget comes from product teams, and most marketing people still view relationships as transactionsal: i. e., I give you $$$ and you do this for my product.

2) Patient groups and others resist direct pressure to take on product advocacy with these exceptions: 1) programs to give open access to all drugs within the therapeutic category are usually OK and 2). early access to new technologies are usually OK. The problem emerges when ally groups are encouraged to lobby the FDA for rapid approval or pressure state legislators to keep cost containment policies off the agenda. In other words, companies use ally groups for lobbying purposes when there’s agreement on strategy.

3) Most Ally Development people want long-term relationships whereas marketing people (who again control grants/budgets) want an ROI and there is usually a fair amount of friction between the groups.

It’s a messy area, one with which I have grave reservations about manipulation, etc., especially when it involves drugs that are still under FDA review.