Late last month,
we wrote about a new blog launched to defend pharma. Known as BigPharmaRealPeople, the site portrays itself as home to the ordinary pharma employee, unabashedly defends the pharmaceutical industry and gleefully attacks individuals and groups branded as enemies for programs and legislation that are seen as encroaching on the industry’s mission - saving lives.
The site generated curiosity, although got off to an inelegant start bordering on parody by hiding behind anonymous names - the list of editors was taken right out of the pages of Ayn Rand's famous novel, which portrays any type of state intervention in society as doomed. In its debut, the site complained bitterly that big pharma has been "vilified in the news, maligned in documentaries and penalized by over reaching, undereducated state politicians," who were largely blamed for mounting industry layoffs.
Now, apparently in response to numerous queries and, perhaps, the belated recognition that anonymity only raised suspicions, the site's editor has chosen to identify himself. "My name is Scott McTavish (aka John Galt)," is how the latest post begins. "I have worked as a sales representative, sales manager and director for three Big Pharma companies over the last 30 years. In that time, I have seen our industry grow, prosper, and help our customers in more ways than I thought possible. I am very proud to call so many of you in our industry, my friends.
"Over the last 3 years, politicians and journalists have begun to capitalize on our success through slander and regulation. The amount of vitriol and hatred making its way toward our industry is at an all-time high. Politicians see our industry as an easy way to extort millions of dollars for their pet projects and to increase their power over their constituents. Journalist use us a scape goats in an attempt to increase their readership, win awards, and grow their reputation as government loving, capitalist hating, free 'thinkers.' "
"A few things to keep in mind: Last year, Big Pharma saved the lives of tens of thousands of Americans with heart disease. What did our local state government(s) do? Last year, Big Pharma saved the lives of thousands of children with leukemia and other forms of cancer. What did your local journalist(s) do? Last year, Big Pharma spent billions of dollars in research and development to battle diabetes, cancer and heart disease. What did the Big Pharma hating bloggers do?
"If we don't stand up for ourselves and our industry, no one else will. Our focus needs to be on our customers and the citizens of this country. The vast majority of politicians and journalists are liars who can not be trusted to report the facts. Our organization's purpose will continue to be to take our message directly to our customers."
Scott, if this is your real name, welcome to the party. We agree that pharma has done a rather poor job of getting its message out over the past several years. Of course, the industry often doesn't help itself - think of the episodes involving undisclosed trial data, overstated claims or overzealous marketing, among other things. True, these instances shouldn't overshadow the good that industry accomplishes. In our view, though, the warts, foibles, missteps and violations are worth noting out of a desire to improve business practices, not eliminate medicine.
One other thing, Scott. Since you chose not to answer any of our messages directly, we are still curious to know more about your background and those of your 'staff.' We would also like to know what, if any, sponsorship or backing you may have. If you really do enjoy an open debate about all the facts, more disclosure would be helpful - unless your site is merely an example of astroturfing dressed up as a social networking experiment. Hat tip to Pharma Blog Week in Review (sorry, no link is available)
17 Comments
Ed, I'm curious. Why are you picking on this site? There are dozens of pharmaceutical blogs covering the entire spectrum of viewpoints. Your website is a little unusual in that you are open about who you are. This makes your site more "reputable" than many, because at least we know your affiliations and background. Why do you care if this guy wants to run a low-quality anonymous blog that is unabashedly biased?
Hi Nathan,
I'm not trying to pick on them. In the past, I've asked other anonymous types, privately and in posts, to say more about themselves; some did so, others didn't.
Since the site did generate some interest, though, I thought I'd try to engage them. And perhaps, there's more to it than meets the eye. If not, well, fine.
In any event, I don't particularly care, one way or the other, where they go from here. It's a big, noisy world. Indiscriminate cheerleading only goes so far.
Cheers ed at Pharmalot
HMMMM,... Look Here and See what Pharma does not want the public to know. I take it that this gentleman has no problem with maiming and killing children for profit.
Look here and review GSK's Internal Documents http://www.paxilharmschildren.com
Maybe Scott would like to take a shot at defending these promotional; Marketing/Sales documents.
BigPharmaBigPeople is probably a lame attempt by the PR department of PhARMA to deflect all the criticism of Big pharma. While Big Pharma has many great scientists and researchers in their employ, they also have a boatload of unethical, money-hungry commercial jerks in Marketing and Sales who ruin the reputation of the entire industry because they're willing to forget about ethics and morals as they seek to make as much money as possible. Why? Because they can! If they get caught, the company just cuts a deal to pay a relatively small fine, denies any wrongdoing and makes sure its' executives ar exempt from prosecution. This scenario is an incredible tragedy as millions of patients around the world are hurt by the intentional "hiding" of important safety data on marketed drugs!!
Ed brings up a lot of valid points. If the blog wants to defend Big Pharma from the average pharma employee's viewpoint, then the blog owner will have no problem answering the questions posed.
Big Pharma has set up front groups in the past to defend itself (NAMI is a classic example of a biased group which is heavily financed by Big Pharma types) or promote itself.
[...] has been some chatter about a new blog launched to defend the pharmaceutical industry called BigPharmaRealPeople (the [...]
BPW...it is unfair to paint sales and marketing folks within big pharma (and elsewhere)as "unethical, money-hungry commercial jerks." The vast majority are hard working and highly ethical. Are there a few who are not? Absolutely. Similarly, most researchers are high ethical. But, as with any group, there are a few who are not. We are all aware of cases of falsified research by academics researcher in pursuit of fame and fortune. Does that mean that all researchers are corrupt? Of course not. Unfortunately, the majority is smeared by the few.
As for BigPharmaRealPeople, I doubt that PhRMA is behind this lame site. Like it or not, PhRMA has a higher level of sophistication. My bet is that this is the product of a few reps and/or managers bemoaning the situation over a couple of beers. As a member of the industry, I certainly don't take them seriously or put any credence into what they say.
For what it's worth, I think the site is pure pharmaparody of the best kind; that is, the kind that you can't be sure whether it's serious or not. Big Pharma/Real People is the Spinal Tap of pharmablogs. Its line is so rabid that it just has to be a parody of blogs like Drug Wonks or some PhRMA publications.
I think it's a great indictment of some of the so-called "balanced" pro-pharma web-sites that are around. I love it and just wish I'd thought of the idea myself.
Just on the point about media coverage, it is clearly wrong that we don't hear about "miracle drugs" all the time. Tim Johnson called the statins that an ABC Nightly News just a few weeks ago. (re: primary prevention, there's probably contention on that, but not the point here).
Coming from academia, I totally agree that - across the board - there is at least as much (probably more) integrity among people who work in pharma as in academia and most other sectors. As is also the case with FDA, it's a few key decision-makers that can create big trouble when there is big trouble.
As far as all the good things pharma does - that's the point! It creates that much more responsibility when people want and need to depend on an industry. When an academic messes up, most people could care less!
[...] BigPharmaRealBS PRWeek writes about “some chatter about a new blog launched to defend the pharmaceutical industry called BigPharmaRealPeople.” Here’s the blog’s alleged story and here’s Ed Silverman’s take on it. [...]
I think Drug Wonks is behind it -- see "Big Pharma, "Real" People, Wonkers?" at http://pharmablogosphere.blogspot.com/2008/01/big-pharma-real-people-wonkers.html
BPW. Having insight as both a health care provider and also in sales/marketing for the last 20+ years offers an interesting vantage point. Many medicines the have come to market over the last 20 years have improved and/or saved lives and should be applauded. But, since the late 90's the quest for money has left patient care behind to fend for itself in too many instances. Most unfortunately some cases have been oversight and ignorance but others have been carefully orchestrated from the very top of the organization to dupe the FDA, providers, and their patients with the ultimate goal to increase profit margins no matter what the cost.
[...] for three Big Pharma Companies over the past 30 years. Blogging over at Pharmalot, Ed Silverman challenges the front group to disclose its sponsorship and backing: One other thing, Scott. Since you chose not to answer any of our messages directly, we [...]
[...] for three Big Pharma Companies over the past 30 years. Blogging over at Pharmalot, Ed Silverman challenges the front group to disclose its sponsorship and backing: One other thing, Scott. Since you chose not to answer any of our messages directly, we [...]
[...] for three Big Pharma Companies over the past 30 years. Blogging over at Pharmalot, Ed Silverman challenges the front group to disclose its sponsorship and backing: One other thing, Scott. Since you chose not to answer any of our messages directly, we [...]
It looks like the "Bigpharmarealpeople" web site went out of buisness. Oh well... Nice try! I guess at the end of the day people (even inside the industry) are more attracted to real journalism rather than to one-sided opinion sites. Ed, nice job keeping both "sides" of the pharma wars engaged in news and debate!
Hi Nathan,
Thanks, Nathan. I try. As an aside, I've no idea why the site folded and I'm still not sure who was really behind it (despite the post made by the alleged editor). Perhaps that's a good story for another day. In any event, the kind words are appreciated.
Cheers ed