After reading this Herald Tribune article, about the demise of the American institution of giving physicians trinkets emblazoned with your product names, I was inspired to write you about something that has long bugged me. However, instead of complaining I have several ideas for how you can make it up to us. When I say "us," I don't mean doctors. I would be your customer. You know - the person who buys your product with money. But, I'm not here to complain or ask for anything. I'm writing to help you.
I bet your marketing guys are currently facing a dilemma about what to do with all the leftover cool pens and stuff. Well, how about distributing these items to patients in the waiting room? Long ago I got over the fact that your nicely-dressed sales reps carrying sandwich platters and black briefcases waltz ahead of waiting rooms full of us patient patients. But must you continue to view us in only the abstract? Do you train your sales force not to make eye contact? Only you know the answer.
Perhaps you will even consider continuing to manufacture these attractive products. From a promotion and a goodwill standpoint, I believe doing this on an ongoing basis will pay off, big time.In addition to saving the entire American institution of pharmaceutical branding, you would also be saving a small part of China's plastic junk industry.BTW, if this all seems like too big of a pain, you can send any items directly to me. I am very easy to deal with. Unlike physicians, I don't require golf outings or any ongoing education with steak dinners. I just want some free pens. Mugs, calendars, boxes of kleenex, and liquid soap, also welcome.
I would prefer items that have the name of the drugs I purchase and support with my hard earned dollars every month (see attached list). BUT if you just happen to have any, I wouldn't mind having one of those tee shirts encrusted with rhinestones to spell BOTOX referred to in the article. Actually, anything else you might have in that little black bag, even if you believe them to be of little or no value would be appreciated. (Except for things selling Viagra. I have children at home and I have enough trouble being quick enough on the remote to switch away from those embarrassingly energetic commercials.) Items brandishing the names of products that have been withdrawn from the marketplace are okay, but not desirable.
Lastly, if you love my ideas will you please consider designing something especially for me? I request a fashion forward tee shirt (black) with XOLAIR written on it in pistachio green or nice color of your choosing, size M. I'm sure it would be a great conversation starter and a tipping point for the product's future. If you look at the cumulative cost to me over the past five years of this, my favorite pharmaceutical, to which, apparently I must continue to use for the rest of my life in order to breathe, I believe I've earned a tee shirt.
Have a great day, and happy branding!
Best Regards,
A Really Big Customer
5 comments:
How about free pharma pen giveaway on your blog?
excellent piece. I didn't know that "a new rule" had passed. I knew it was in the works, or proposed.
I know a doctor personally who got free dinners to very expensive restaurants and it always seemed plenty screwed up to me.
As a psychologist, I see patients coming in on certain drugs in waves. Is it a coincidence that "all of these patients" require the exact same medication?
Bad medicine. Flawed system. Hoping this correction will lead to better patient care. Thanks for your post.
You said it!
Or, they could donate those pens to schools, or something!
Great article.
Great post. I would totally buy a bedazzled ZOLOFT shirt (or similar), so really, the companies are missing out on a huge market.
phd in yogurty: What a great idea! If I can get my hands on them, I'll do it.
Sheri: that's a good one too. Do think they'd be okay with schools whiting out Viagra?
Sassafras: I seriously would wear one of these shirts too. There are hordes of us potentially walking billboards out here and the pharm cos should take advantage.
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