China Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Will a sexy cheerleader make you buy drugs? Drug makers are giving it the old college try-- they're recruiting cheerleaders. Yes, you heard right! They're reportedly using former college cheerleaders to pitch prescription drugs to physicians. The New York Times reports demand for cheerleaders is so strong, it has led to the formation of an employment firm named Spirited Sales Leaders, that pairs drug companies with a database of thousands of potential candidates. At least one doctor questioned the drug companies' hiring priorities, calling the tactic "sexual marketing." He said that there's a saying that 'you'll never meet an ugly drug rep.' But the paper said that drugmakers deny that sex appeal has any bearing on hiring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 This is nothing new. Ever met an ugly pharmaceutical rep? The fact that this job (pharmaceutical sales rep) even exists should tell you everything you need to know about this industry ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridironmike Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 My grandmother lives directly behind a professional building (contains doctors, dentists, and optometrists). Every day as I'm eating lunch at her house, I watch the most attractive women go in and out of this office. First, they unload their choice for lunch or direct a caterer into the lounge area. They then unload their cases full of sample drugs and go into the lounge area themsleves. This happens on an almost daily basis. I wouldn't throw rocks at them, thats for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinned Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 My previous next door neighbor was this hot, blonde, 25 yr old and guess what she did for a living? You got it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I new a really hot girl in Manhattan that used to do the same thing. She would also sell viagra to people at parties and she was a huge coke head. Its sad that this is what the Pharmy companies see as proper marketing. Granted it works, it just seems wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelms Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Hooters hires hot chicks to sell you beer. What's the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Why should Doctors need salespeople to determine which drug to prescribe to their patients? If one rep is better looking than another rep, is that the drug that gets prescribed? If you stop and think about it, you will want to vomit. The pharmaceutical industry needs a bit of monitoring. If I told you how much those 'sales reps' made, I think most of you would faint. And wake up angry. ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpillian Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I agree it's a shame that the pharmaceutical industry has to stoop to such lows -- but I'm really at a loss as to how else they can differentiate to physicians between competing (usually identical) drugs. I don't believe they can outright pay them; so it's the "song and dance" of the sale on which they're pinning their hopes. It's too bad -- but I think that's the reality here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Deadman Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Why should Doctors need salespeople to determine which drug to prescribe to their patients?If one rep is better looking than another rep, is that the drug that gets prescribed? If you stop and think about it, you will want to vomit. The pharmaceutical industry needs a bit of monitoring. If I told you how much those 'sales reps' made, I think most of you would faint. And wake up angry. ....... Plus, they push for newer drugs to be prescribed. When Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra came out on the market.....they were intended for only a certain population to be used (elderly patients at risk for ulcers and patients with a history of ulcers). Yet, b/c FDA approvals cost mucho dollars and obviously drug companies want to make as much $$$ on the drug before it's patent runs out, these drugs were really pushed to doctors to prescribe to everybody with some pain issue. Despite that these drugs are really effective for pain management, nobody knew the long term side effects and complications that could occur from taking these medications. As for Dr.'s, I'm not sure what they get in return for writing for the newer or more pushed medications. I just hope they are doing their homework and trying to write for things that will help the patient. However, sometimes the best therapy is something that been on the market for awhile and is much cheaper than the current popular drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaudry Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Here is what I don't understand: Why the hell do doctors care so much about getting a free lunch? They already make the big $$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walking Deadman Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Here is what I don't understand: Why the hell do doctors care so much about getting a free lunch? They already make the big $$. They don't......but it's human nature. Really good food, meanwhile a discussion (including clinical studies and other info.) on why drug X is the best drug to use for Problem Y. While you're eating (and in a good mood b/c of a free lunch) it's a good way to get a one-on-one with a Dr. and to talk about your drug. Easier to convince the Doc's why to use Drug X. Plus, the doctors usually can get alot of samples of said drug to help patients who struggle with paying for prescriptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. S Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 my friend worked at a doctors office over the summer, he said he got taken out to at least 20 meals with the staff by some pharmaceutical rep, and they were all really hot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Damn, i knew I should have been a doctor. Maybe its not too late......yeah, its too late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TC4 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 OHHHHHH!!!! THOSE kinda drugs My bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 I keep remembering that line from Lethal Weapon 2: "She makes me want to buy a condom." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.