Pharmaceutical Sales Industry News And Career Information

Mar 24, Big Pharma Drug Sales Could Rebound With Bio-Similar Drug Development

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:19:39 GMT

Yes, you heard it right. Big Pharmaceutical Companies may be able to rebound from stagnant sales due to their commitment to developing bio-similar drugs in the future. Bio-what? Yep - that was my question when I researched this topic! So, why don't we start at the beginning? First, what is a biological drug? A biological drug is a substance that is made from a living organism or its products, and is used in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer and other diseases. Biological drugs are serving as effective courses of treatment for many diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis,Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and HIV. That's the good news. But, there is a problem: unlike traditional pharmaceutical drugs - which are chemical compounds - biologics can't be copied exactly. As a result, their cost is massive - as much as 7,000 dollars per month (and higher). Even worse, insurance will not typically cover the medication's expense. That's the bad news. Thus far, neither the FDA or Congress has figured out how copycat biologic therapies can be safely and accurately compared with originals. However, two weeks ago, 2 democrats introduced legislation to do just that. Recently, President Obama set aside money for the FDA to research the best process for reviewing generic biologics. Why the term Bio-Similar? While copying traditional pharmaceutical drugs involves chemistry, making biologics involves a complicated process of growing cells, which work as factories to make proteins used as therapies. A bio-similar maker will use cells that differ from the innovator. The characteristics of the resulting proteins can result in a therapy with much different effects, scientists say. At best, these copycat biologics could be highly similar, which is why the industry avoids the term generic and refers to them as bio-similars. Some of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies say they plan to make bio-similars, including Eli Lilly and Pfizer. Due to a barrage of patent expirations and the resulting generic competition, pharma companies see these bio-similars as a way to utilize their existing infrastructure and expertise.

Mar 24, Eli Lilly Depression Drug Gets Expanded Approval by FDA

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:20:11 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its approval of Eli Lilly's Symbyax - which combines Zyprexa [antipsychotic]and Prozac [antidepressant], in order to serve as a second line of defense for treatment-resistant depression. Symbyax is approved for bipolar depression, but it now holds the title as THE FIRST drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for acute treatment of treatment-resistant depression. This is good news for Eli Lilly. Why? Because Prozac, a Lilly blockbuster, has lost patent protection. And Zyprexa, one of Lilly's biggest cash cows, has recently faced generic competition. Also, recent concerns have come to light about Zyprexa - the pill may cause weight gain that increases the risk of diabetes. OUCH! So now you are not only depressed, but heavier and diabetic! Not good! So, Symbyax can save their depression market. You see, this isn't your typical second-line treatment. Second-line treatments for other therapeutic areas usually don't fare well. With depression, it is an entirely different story. Depression is a very difficult disease to treat. In fact, up to 35 of patients fail to respond to two different treatments. That means many will still be seeking treatment after trying traditional drugs like Zoloft, Paxil or Lexapro. BINGO! So, here is the point: Prozac is approved as a front-line treatment for depression, so the combination drug [Symbyax] of Prozac and Zyprexa will make for an easy transition for doctors and their patients. Adding Zyprexa to a patient who is already taking Prozac may be an easier solution than changing the entire medication. So, this second-line treatment may prove to be very lucrative for Eli Lilly, and a step towards more effectively treating this terrible disease.

Jan 26, Big Pharma Just Got Bigger as Pfizer Buys Wyeth

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:51:16 GMT

All the rumors, innuendo and speculation can finally be put to rest. Pharmaceutical Sales Giant, Pfizer, is buying Wyeth for $68 billion. Basically this will allow Pfizer to dominate not just the pharmaceutical industry, but to become the global leader in consumer health care products and animal health care products, as well. What led to this decision? Well, Pfizer will suffer 14 patent expirations through 2014, which would add up to lost revenue of about $35 billion per year, according to industry sources. Oh, and by the way, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb and Eli Lilly are all facing their own patent losses in the next five years. So, acquiring Wyeth helps Pfizer diversify and become less-dependent on individual drugs while adding bench strength in biotech drugs, vaccines and consumer products. Wyeth makes the world's top-selling vaccine, Prevnar for meningitis and pneumococcal disease, and co-markets with Amgen Inc. the world's No. 1 biotech drug, Enbrel for rheumatoid arthritis. "The combination of Pfizer and Wyeth...will produce the world's premier biopharmaceutical company" said Pfizer Chairman and Chief Executive Jeffery B. Kindler. Together, the two companies will have 17 different products with annual sales of $1 billion or more, including top antidepressant Effexor, Lyrica for fibromyalgia and nerve pain, Detrol for overactive bladder and blood pressure drug Norvasc. After the deal closes, Pfizer expects to cut more pharmaceutical sales jobs, trimming the combined workforce by as much as 15 percent.

Nov 17, Astra Zeneca Approved in Europe Plus Other Good News

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:27:33 GMT

AstraZeneca has announced that the once-daily formulation Seroquel XR and Seroquel have been approved in Europe for the treatment of major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder, as well as moderate to severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder. In October 2008, Seroquel XR was approved in similar indications by the FDA. Seroquel is currently the only licensed treatment for bipolar depression in the EU, the company said. It's been a good 2 months for Astra Zeneca, as they won a court case over Teva Pharmaceutical Industries and Sandoz, alleging infringement of AstraZeneca's Seroquel's patent. Earlier, Teva and Sandoz were seeking to market generic versions of Seroquel tablets in the US before Seroquel's patent expires in 2011. All of this, plus the results from Astra Zeneca's 3rd quarter makes Astra Zeneca look good right now. US sales have increased by 23, largely due to Crestor's new indication. Check out the link, below, for more information on Astra Zeneca Financials:

Nov 17, PhRMA Gets Ready to Duke it Out With Obama

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:27:33 GMT

The nation's largest pharmaceutical organization - the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America - is creating a multimillion-dollar PR campaign to encourage free-market health care and undercut the future President's intended price controls of prescription drugs. What is PhRMA you ask? It is an organization made up of the leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies; these companies are leading the way in the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $44.5 billion in 2007 in discovering and developing new medicines. PHRMA will air a national television commercial next week, and it will be the first gun fired in the expected battle over health care reform during the Obama presidency. What do Pharmaceutical Companies have to lose? Just about 30 billion in revenue if Obama's plan to let the federal government negotiate Medicare drug prices is implemented, according to one independent report. PhRMA says its upcoming advertisement, featuring PhRMA spokesman Montel Williams, is designed to make people aware of the importance of preserving the free-market health care system. I'll be looking for this commercial on youtube next week.

Nov 12, Pharmaceutical Companies and the Obama Effect

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:25:22 GMT

Many pharmaceutical sales reps have recently expressed worry about the Obama Effect on pharmaceutical companies in general, and rightly so. What is the Obama Effect you ask? Well it is really three fold:
1. Obama wants to import drugs from overseas.
2. He wants to allow the government to negotiate lower prices with drug companies.
3. And, he wants to increase the use of generics.
And here is my question: while it may be good for consumers short term, do you really think it is good for us long-term? Let me explain: First of all, generic companies are getting wealthy from the constant push from doctors and pharmacists to use generic alternatives. And, it is widely known that managed care organizations are currently paying physicians to write generic scripts for cholesterol medications. So, why are they not targeting the MCOs or generic companies? The deals they have going with insurance companies should be considered a monopoly. And, since generic drug makers do not develop a drug from scratch, do not invest in the initial research and do not engage in the development and testing, the costs to bring the generic drug to market are millions of dollars less for the generic companies. So if we really want to talk about who is hoarding all the profits? Sorry! It is not Big Pharma (which re-invests that money into their research and development to create more novel medicines). It is the generic companies!

And, while paying less for medicine is great short term, we should think about what that may do to us long term. If doctors and insurance companies continue to promote generics, and the U.S. government is negotiating lower prices with pharma companies, then where will the money for research and development come from? Like it or not, Big Pharma has created innovative medicines that have saved people's lives, but will they be able to keep doing that when their profits have been cut in half? It takes millions of dollars (in 2006: $802m) in R&D to get a medicine to the market stage. Where will that money come from now?

Sorry, but if myself or a loved one is dying from a terrible disease, I really will not care about getting the cheapest drug. I will want the newest, most innovative drug out there to combat the illness. Does inexpensive really matter when we are talking life or death? JMO

Oct 8, Pharmaceutical Sales Interviews - How to Network, Get Interviews

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:26:04 GMT

Pharmaceutical Sales Interviews - Learn The Easy Way of Gaining Interviews - How to Network With Pharmaceutical Reps, Stay Organized, and Get Interviews!

Oct 8, Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Coach Will Help You Win the Job!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:25:23 GMT

Call Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Coach - A Professional Career Coach, Resume Writer with Pharma Sales Recruiting Experience. Coaching for Pharmaceutical Sales and Medical Sales Interviews.

Oct 8, Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book, Interview Portfolio-How to Create, Present, Win!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:23:39 GMT

A Great Pharmaceutical Sales Brag Book is One of the Keys to Interview Success. Utilize Your Pharmaceutical Sales Interview Portfolio as Proof of Career & Educational Success. Here's How -

Oct 8, Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs - Requirements, Skills, Degree 4 Pharm Sales Positions

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:20:54 GMT

Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs, Requirements to Get Pharmaceutical Sales Positions, Preferred Degree, Skills, Job Experience - What You Need and Must Have for Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs!

Oct 8, Pharmaceutical Rep Details-Day in the Life of a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:19:59 GMT

Pharmaceutical Rep-How to Become, Day in the Life-Uncovered, Pharmaceutical Sales Rep Jobs - Duties, Training, Routing, Detailing, Selling, Territory Mgmt! What Does a Pharmaceutical Rep Do?

Oct 8, Pharma Sales Interview System - How to WIN Pharmaceutical Interviews In 30 DAYS!

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:13:31 GMT

Pharma Sales Interview System is a Blueprint for Winning Your First Pharmaceutical Sales Job, Learn Pharmaceutical Sales Closes, How to Detail, Get Brag Book Advice, Interview Questions and Answers!

Oct 8, Pharmaceutical Sales Certifications - Worthwhile or Worthless for Aspiring Reps?

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:18:35 GMT

Will a Pharmaceutical Sales Certification Help You Gain Pharma Sales Jobs? Opinions from a Successful Pharmaceutical Sales Recruiter!

Oct 8, Pharmaceutical Industry Voluntarily Changes Cough and Cold Labels

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:13:14 GMT

Pharmaceutical companies have volunteered today to ban cough and cold meds for children under age 4, amidst growing fears of the effects of cough and cold medicine.

The decision came just one week after the American Academy of Pediatrics asked the FDA to recall over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children younger than six, arguing that these drugs cause serious health threats to them.

Some of these health threats include: neurological damage, increased blood pressure, and hallucinations.

Although these medicine have been given to kids for many years, there's really not been studies to test efficacy in kids.

As Pediatricians say, you simply can't beat the benefits of raw honey and home-made chicken soup--proven to fight cough and colds!

Oct 8, Big Pharma Outlook is Good Despite Financial Crisis

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:13:14 GMT

Datamonitor thinks that large pharmaceutical companies have stayed out of the cheap debt game, due to their large reservoirs of cash.

Therefore, the credit crunch will actually play out as a net positive for the pharma industry.

Again, according to Datamonitor, Pharma companies are not only expected to weather the financial storm successfully but to also use this period to exploit their unique cash strength by embarking on an acquisition spree.

Until very recently, the pharma industrys stock market performance has been faltering compared to other sectors. Why? Because the pharma industry as a whole has failed to discover and develop a significant number of innovative products to replace those drugs facing patent expiry.

In fact, in 2007 the FDA approved just 19 new products; the lowest level for over 20 years.

Despite these woes, in contrast to most industries, pharma is cash rich and has not taken on significant debt.

Conclusion- Why Big Pharma Will Stay on Top: the average net debt for the top 20 pharmaceutical companies is just 6 percent, while the average net debt carried by financial institutions is 95 percent. This fact alone, combined with the fact that the average top 20 pharma company has access to $7.5 bn in cash, shows the ability of large pharma companies to weather the credit storm.

Feb 11, Amgen Osteoporosis Drug Has Strong Future

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:33:27 GMT

Amgen declared positive results, based on a trial comparing Denosumab with Merck's Fosamax. The results of a double-blind, head-to-head study compared the effects of twice-yearly Denosumab with weekly oral doses of Fosamax, and found that postmenopausal women utilizing Denosumab showed significant improvements in bone density. Also, the two drugs share a similar safety profile. These findings will help increase Denosumab sales in a hyper-competitive market. Add to that, the fact that Merck is losing Fosamax to generic competition (expiring patent), and you have a brittle loss for Merck in the osteoporosis market.

Feb 11, Botox Warnings From FDA

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:33:27 GMT

The U.S. FDA notified the public recently that Allergan Inc.'s Botox and Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin Type A) and Myobloc(Botulinum toxin Type B) have been linked to respiratory failure and death, following treatment. To be exact, 180 reports of serious reactions and 16 deaths were reported. The adverse reactions are related to the spread of the toxin to areas distant from the site of injection, causing difficulty swallowing, weakness and breathing problems. At the time, the FDA is not advising health care professionals to discontinue use of these products. The agency is currently reviewing safety data from clinical studies. Of course Allergan's shares went down after this FDA warning.

Aug 24, Pharmaceutical Sales Contract Companies - Good Way to Break Into Pharma Sales?

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:02:26 GMT

Learn How Pharmaceutical Sales Contract Companies Can Help You Gain Entry into a Pharmaceutical Sales Career. Get the Positives / Negatives of Working in a Pharmaceutical Sales Contract Position!

Aug 20, Wyeth May be Target for Big Pharma Giant Pfizer

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:54:16 GMT

Could Wyeth be a prime target for takeover by Pfizer?

Wyeth has been knocked down a notch or two lately by a couple of negative FDA decisions (menopause drug Pristiq and schizophrenia drug Bifeprunox), and its stock is down 19 since July 23.

But overall, its long-term future looks good.

Why? Wyeth has the corner market on protein-based drugs and its vaccine market is sound.

The biggest problem for Wyeth may be the chance that its blockbuster heartburn medicine, Protonix, could face generic competition this fall, three years earlier than expected. The legal fees and loss of sales from that could create some serious "hurt".

Despite that potential problem and the others mentioned above, analysts still see Wyeth as a bargain, i.e. a good target for takeover. Why? Simply put, their pipeline (note to self: research their Alzheimers development program that is getting raves!) and current biotech drugs - Enbrel and Prevnar. Pfizer, like most of Big Pharma, is hot for biotech drugs, so Enbrel and Prevnar just sweeten the pot.

Aug 20, Psychiatrists Earn More Money From Drug Companies Than Doctors in any Other Specialty

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:54:16 GMT

As more and more states start to require that drug companies disclose their payments to doctors for lectures, etc., a pattern has come to light...Psychiatrists are earning more from drug companies (pharma and biotech) than any other physician specialty.

Vermont officials recently released data showing drug company payments to Psychiatrists in their state more than doubled last year, with Endocrinologists receiving the second largest amount.

Still, a similar pattern was found when searching a Minnesota database - which was the subject of a series of articles in The New York Times this year. As in Vermont, Psychiatrists earned the most. Also, The Times investigation found that Psychiatrists who took the most money from makers of antipsychotic drugs tended to prescribe the drugs to children the most often.

[Did they ever bother to think that the more a physician knows about a product, the more likely he/she is to prescribe it, as they'll feel more confident in prescribing it for specific patient populations...versus a medication they don't know much about. I don't see the harm in that! But, I would cry FOUL if their prescribing habits were found to be harmful to the patient - but they didn't find that...now did they?]

These and other stories have created a growing interest among state and federal leaders to document and restrict payments to doctors from drug companies. And, a dozen other states are now springing into action.

Jul 29, Pharmaceutical Sales Career Fairs - Medical Sales Job Fairs - What to Do!

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 05:53:27 GMT

Kick-Start Your Career With Pharmaceutical Sales Career Fairs. Learn What to Say, Do, Bring to Pharmaceutical, Medical Sales Job Fairs.

Apr 25, Pharmaceutical Sales Resume Templates, Medical Sales Resume Templates, Samples,

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 04:59:11 GMT

Finally, Pharmaceutical Sales Resume Templates and Medical Sales Resume Templates, Samples with Pharma Sales Keywords and Attention Getting Design, Created by Professional Pharma Sales Resume Writers!

Apr 24, Astra Zeneca Fiasco - Unethical Memo Gets Regional Sales Director Fired

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:34:54 GMT

A regional sales director at AstraZeneca allegedly told reps in an interview for their internal newsletter: There is a big bucket of money sitting in every office. Every time you go in, you reach your hand in the bucket and grab a handful. The more times you are in, the more money goes in your pocket. Every time you make a call, you are looking to make more money.

While most sales reps would agree that this type of mental talk spurs action and further sales, it really was in poor taste to put it in print!

Wow...not good...the pharma blogosphere got hold of the newsletter and called for him to be canned. Astra Zeneca fired him immediately because it didn't really mix with their mantra - devoted to helping physicians provide their patients with the care they require.

Read more of the juicy details, by clicking on the link below.

Apr 24, Novartis Takes a Beating in 2007

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:34:54 GMT

One of the pharmaceutical industry's most powerful, Novartis has hit a rough patch in 2007. In February, the FDA delayed Novartis' supposed new blockbuster diabetes treatment, Galvus. And then on Friday, the FDA requested Zelnorm, one of its top-selling drugs for irritable bowel syndrome, pulled from the U.S. market. OUCH! Why has Zelnorm been pulled "off the shelf"? The FDA cites an "imbalance" of cardiovascular events occurring more often in patients taking Zelnorm. Both the FDA and Novartis agreed to pull the drug from the market until more information about the higher incidence of cardiovascular events is known. While there is still the chance that Zelnorm will be back on the market its sales potential will probably be hurt because of the negative publicity. This will take a bite out of Novartis' 2007 profits, since Zelnorm was Novartis' 12th-highest selling drug with $560 million in sales, growing 34 over 2005's total last year.

Mar 26, Eli Lilly Challenges the Plavix Market

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:57:52 GMT

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly may have a strong challenger to Sanofi Aventis (and BMS), in the form of its newest drug - blood thinner Prasugrel.

Plavix has remained the sole leader in the anti-platelet market, unchallenged for quite some time...until now.

Lilly's Prasugrel is currently undergoing tests that pit it against Plavix for efficacy. If tests show increased efficacy with similar safety profiles, Prasugrel could be set to take over this market.

And, it's perfect timing, as Plavix is currently embroiled in legal dramas.

Mar 26, Forest Labs Begins Focus on Obesity Market

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 05:57:52 GMT

Aurigene Discovery Technologies and Forest Laboratories have entered into an agreement to discover drug candidates for obesity and metabolic disorders.

It looks like a win-win for Forest, as Aurigene will undertake and fund discovery, while Forest will fund all subsequent drug development and commercialization activities. In addition, Forest will have complete ownership of the compounds developed, with worldwide rights.

Per a BIG WIG at Forest, this specific strategy is part of their new business model - creating research partnerships to identify innovative compounds and then securing worldwide rights to the resulting products.

Mar 4, Welcome

Sun, 04 Mar 2007 23:38:40 GMT

Mar 2, Pharmaceutical Rep Lunch and Learns - How to Conduct

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:44:59 GMT

Pharmaceutical Rep Lunch and Learns, How a Pharma Rep Can Maximize Success With Physicians!

Feb 28, Endo Pharmaceuticals Future is Full Of Pain - But in a Good Way

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 04:25:38 GMT

Endo's future is looking good due to high growth of its pain patch, Lipoderm, up 35 last year. Best of all, this growth is due to the increase in the number of prescriptions, not due to price increases. Also on the horizon for Endo is the launch of new pain drug, Opana ER. As a result, Endo is beefing up their salesforce, so look for some job openings there, shortly. As you may or may not know, Endo markets generic as well as branded pharmaceuticals. Although their generic profits have been declining, it seems as though their branded side might easily make up for these losses.

Feb 28, Big Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies Release Studies to Combat Aids

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 04:25:38 GMT

Big Pharmaceutical Sales Stars Pfizer, Merck, Johnson & Johnson and the biotech Gilead Sciences are all planning to release study results of drugs that slow the spread of the AIDS virus. About two-thirds of the approximately 40 million worldwide AIDS patients live in Africa, and many are too poor to afford the HIV anti-virals. Big pharma companies often give them away or sell them at reduced prices. The companies' experimental anti-virals are designed to help patients live longer by blocking the AIDS virus from replicating. Merck is also testing an AIDS vaccine, but has not yet released the data for it. An AIDS vaccine does not yet exist, and is considered the "Big One" for AIDS research. The FDA has granted "fast track" review status to the Merck and Pfizer drugs, meaning they will be reviewed within 6 months, versus the normal - longer than a year - process.

Feb 18, Sanofi-Aventis Gets Black Box Warning on Ketek

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 02:50:20 GMT

Sanofi-Aventis recently revised its prescribing information for Ketek, with FDA approval.

Revisions were completed based upon recommendations of numerous FDA committee meetings held in December of 2005. The revisions include:

A boxed warning to alert physicians and patients that Ketek is contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis (a rare autoimmune disease)

Updated warnings about possible visual problems and loss of consciousness. (YIKES!)

Deletion of indications for acute and chronic bronchitis, and for acute bacterial sinusitis.

What happens next?

In the U.S., Sanofi-aventis must inform healthcare professionals about the revisions to the prescribing information through a "Dear Healthcare Professional" letter, sales force educational communications, and updated prescribing information via their company and product websites.

Feb 18, Roche Seeks To Defend Kids Against Bird Flu

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 02:50:20 GMT

Swiss drug maker Roche is seeking to provide smaller child-sized capsules of Tamiflu, the medicine governments have been stockpiling as an initial defense against the bird flu virus. Officials at Roche confirm that they will soon file with the FDA, asking for approval of two smaller capsules -- 30 mg and 45 mg -- to treat children. Roche says Tamiflu can reduce the severity of flu symptoms by 38 percent and can have an even better impact in reducing secondary complications like bronchitis and pneumonia. Tamiflu is being stockpiled by governments. The medicine would be a first line of defense until a specific vaccine can be developed to target the mutated strain.

Feb 5, Sanofi Aventis Buying Bristol-Myers Squibb - Real or Rumor

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 05:48:59 GMT

Rumors about mega Pharmaceutical Sales Companies - Bristol and Sanofi - possibly merging abound. Due to Bristol's controversies over the last few years, many believe it's ripe for the picking!

Why would the swallowing of BMS be a good thing?
Bristol sells Plavix, a Sanofi-invented drug, giving a significant share of profits back to the French drug giant. Sanofi could save money by chopping heads and still make use of experimental drugs for melanoma, kidney transplants and leg clots that Bristol is developing.

Why would the merger be a bad thing?
Sanofi is pushing a philosophy very different from Bristol's, going after big-market blockbuster drugs like Acomplia, which is for obesity. Conversely, Bristol has refocused on medical markets served by specialists like rheumatologists and oncologists. None of these medicines require a major marketing effort by thousands of salespeople.

Also, the merger between Sanofi-Synthelabo and Aventis is not yet three years old. So, time to re-organize and re-strategize is necessary.

By the way, when asked, the interim CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb quickly stated, "We're not for sale".

Feb 5, Strongest Pharmaceutical Companies and Drugs to Watch - 2007 Outlook

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 05:48:59 GMT

Pharmaceutical Sales Companies will survive, and some will even thrive, in 2007.

Huh? What? Think it sounds crazy that some pharma companies could thrive? Remember, despite the rough year that big pharma experienced (aka management overhauls, failed clinical trials and patent losses) it is still one of the most recession proof industries out there!

Here is a list of the strongest pharma / biotech company projections of 2007, according to top analysts:

1. Genentech (duh!)
2. Amgen (duh, again!)
3. Johnson and Johnson
4. Novartis
5. Wyeth

Now...on to the drugs to watch in 2007. Notice that all listed either relate to diabetes, heart disease, or obesity...meaning true blockbusters if everything goes right.

Keep a lookout for these four:
1. Januvia - Merck's diabetes drug
2. Galvus - Novartis diabetes drug
3. Acomplia - Sanofi Aventis' diabetes & weight loss drug
4. Merck's Zocor combination drug for low cholesterol.

Nov 13, Pharmaceutical Sales Career Newsletter, Fast Track To Pharmaceutical Sales!

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 21:08:11 GMT

Pharmaceutical Sales Career Newsletter, Fast Track Your 1st Job in Pharmaceutical Sales, Tips - Great Information for Beginning Your Pharmaceutical Sales Career.

Jul 9, Pharmaceutical Sales Company Giant May Be Ready to Purge Then Binge On a New Company

Sun, 09 Jul 2006 19:54:25 GMT

Jul 7, Merck Has First Ever Cancer Vaccine

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 22:19:08 GMT

The FDA has approved the first vaccine designed to prevent cancer.

Merck's vaccine, Gardasil, works to block HPV - the most common sexually transmitted infection in the USA. Persistent infection with certain HPV types causes virtually all cervical cancers.

It's been approved for use in females, ages 9 through 26.

Merck expects to have the vaccine available by August. It's given in three separate shots over a six-month period.

Jul 1, May 2006

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:06:30 GMT

Jul 1, June 2006

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 19:54:28 GMT

Jun 29, test

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 06:22:35 GMT

Jun 23, Pfizer Dumps Insomnia Treatment

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 23:10:50 GMT

Pfizer's latest bad news is good news for Sepracor. Pfizer has dropped partner Neurocrine Biosciences and its insomnia treatment, Indiplon. Ending a 4 year deal with Pfizer, Neurocrine will reacquire all rights to the sleep aid and will work to bring the once-promising drug to market, all on their own.

Note that in May, the FDA delayed approval of the 5- and 10-milligram versions of the drug and totally rejected the 15-milligram dose.

This is good news for Sepracor and Sanofi-Aventis, who seem to have control of the insomnia market. Sanofi-Aventis markets Ambien, and Sepracor markets Lunesta.

Jun 19, New Class of HIV Drugs Create Safety Concerns

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:20:40 GMT

What's different about this new class of drugs than previous treatments? These drugs represent a shift in the fight against HIV, since they don't target the virus itself.

The new class of drugs blocks a secondary, but crucial, doorway typically used by the human immunodeficiency virus to enter cells in the body. Researchers state that people who lack a working version of that doorway, called a receptor, are, at best, highly resistant to infection by HIV and, at worst, slow to develop AIDS once infected.

However, here's the problem...the drugs attack key white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. Scientists are worried the drugs could accelerate a shift from one variant of HIV to a second, which is most often seen in the sickest AIDS patients. Also worrisome, researchers don't yet know the long-term health effects of the drugs. Some of the drugs have been linked to liver problems and cancer.

GlaxoSmithKline, Schering Plough and Pfizer have all had problems recently with this new class of drugs...2 of the drugs have been linked to liver damage, and another to lymphoma.

The FDA is asking pharmaceutical companies to engage in long-term testing on this new class of drugs to ensure safety and efficacy.

Jun 19, Merck and Schering Plough Trials Gain New Ground Over Astra Zeneca Cholesterol Market

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 16:20:40 GMT

Merck and Schering-Plough announced a study on 6/18/2006 revealing their combination drug Vytorin is better (56 compared to 54) at lowering cholesterol than competing drug Crestor from AstraZeneca. Both were found to be equally beneficial in raising good cholesterol.

Vytorin is a combo of two cholesterol drugs - Merck's Zocor and Schering-Plough's Zetia. And, this happens to be great timing and great news for Merck, as Zocor's patent is set to expire on June 23.

Jun 1, Vaccine Market Getting Hotter: Pharmaceutical Companies Take Notice

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:44:43 GMT

Vaccine research is hot, due to the fear of pandemics. And units such as Novartis' Chiron (bought in April 2006 by Novartis) are where the action is!

Vaccines have been previously neglected by pharmaceutical companies due to low profit margins. But now, thanks to the emergence of avian flu and other new viruses -- plus improved technology and better economics -- vaccines are becoming the global drug industry's next hot sector.

Analysts believe that the vaccine market will grow much faster than the market for prescription drugs. "We're in a period where pharmaceutical sales are growing at 5 to 6 a year," says Novartis Chief Executive Daniel Vasella. "In contrast, the vaccine industry is looking at nearly 20 annual growth over the next five years."

It's a dramatic about-face for a neglected sector of the giant global drug industry.

May 23, Johnson and Johnson Gets New Approval for Remicade

Tue, 23 May 2006 16:12:35 GMT

Johnson and Johnson's Remicade has received FDA approval to treat children with active Crohn's disease, a chronic, inflammatory condition of the bowel that can be severely debilitating.

Remicade was initially approved in 1998 to treat Crohn's disease in adults.
Remicade is not a cure, but it provides a much-needed option for reducing the symptoms and inducing and maintaining disease remission in children who have no other safe and effective therapy, said Dr Galson, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Apr 29, Biopharmaceutical Companies Increase Number of Drugs to Treat Rare Diseases

Sat, 29 Apr 2006 00:12:35 GMT

In the past decade (1995-2005), biopharmaceutical companies have developed over 160 drugs to treat rare, or "orphan", diseases which affect fewer than 200,000 Americans. This number is up from 108 the decade before (1984-1994) and just 10 in the 1970s.

Why are more medicines being approved for rare diseases?

Advances in science have brought a greater understanding of diseases and opened up new ways to fight these diseases. Also, increased investment in research and development across the biopharmaceutical industry has made more resources available.

Apr 25, Pharmaceutical Sales E Detailing and E Sampling, The Future of Pharma Sales

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:09:14 GMT

Will Pharmaceutical Sales Reps become Obsolete? Doubtful, but the signs are clear: e-detailing and e-sampling are something doctors are interested in and that the pharmaceutical industry can use to build stronger physician, and even patient, relationships.

Apr 25, Pfizer and Boehringer Conduct E Detail Pilot

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:09:14 GMT

Score another point for e-detailing: Pfizer and Boehringer conducted an e-detail pilot for Spiriva in Denmark to gauge the (post-detailing) attitudes of pharmaceutical sales reps and physicians.

Ninety-seven percent (97) of the physicians felt the e-detail was superior to paper-based details for explaining complex issues and 95 rated the presentations as good or very good. And 80 recommended the companies continue with their e-detailing efforts.

The results of the pilot were equally positive among reps, who found the e-details easy to use and navigate. Eighty percent (80) of rep participants said the e-details allowed them to get more face time with physicians and 60 said it made it easier to sell.

Apr 20, April 2006

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 16:46:30 GMT

Apr 19, Pharmaceutical Sales Giants, So Far So Good in 2006

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 04:14:07 GMT

Remember way back in 2005, when Big Pharma was the whipping boy, but biotech stocks were so hot they could do no wrong?

Well, the tables have turned in 2006. Sort of.

Pharmaceutical Sales Giants have gained slightly thus far this year, up 0.6 percent. Meanwhile, biotech shares have dropped 4.6 percent during the same period.