Anyone catch an unapproved Cymbalta site?

[Anonymous]

it disappeared after this blogger asked questions

http://www.pharmalot.com/2007/07/an-unapproved-web-site-to-promote-cymbalta/

[Anonymous]

Interesting. Has anyone lost a job over this?

[Anonymous]

The regional manager has been aware of the site for some time and has endorsed its promotion along with the rep, who's name is on the site.... lots of novaquest reps in the west have known about it ... and it was a way to get good data on the competition... im suprised you guys are just hearing about it... ask around and you'll find out//

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« Takeover TalkPharmalot… Pharmalittle… »An Unapproved Web Site To Push Cymbalta?
July 5th, 2007 9:23 am By Ed Silverman
There was a cryptic message on CafePharma last week about Quintiles and its NovaQuest division, which was tapped in 2002 to help Lilly promote its Cymbalta antidepressant. The message by a Lilly rep referred to a web site, which contained several studies and other materials about Cymbalta and other meds, and trumpted the Lilly drug.

“My Novaquest partner showed me this website hosted by their regional mgr (DELETED) and his regional trainer (DELETED). Isn’t this GPP inappropriate, especially from our ‘partner?’ It contains information on the competition and published medical letters as well as our Cymbalta.”

The was the mysterious site - http://careber.com/Cymbalta%20.html

Curiously, there was no info about who created or sponsored the web site, and there was no mention of Lilly or NovaQuest. So we wrote NovaQuest a note, asking whether the company was aware of this site, since it appeared to include unapproved promotional materials. This is what Quintiles spokesman Jay Johnson wrote back in a carefully crafted message:

“NovaQuest became aware of the unauthorized website several months ago and immediately requested that the site be taken down. It was NovaQuest’s understanding that the site had been removed promptly. When we received your query, we checked into it again and can confirm the site does not exist. NovaQuest acts in accordance with industry rules and regulations in carrying out its work on behalf of its customers.”

Indeed, the site can no longer be accessed. But Jay skirted the issue of whether anyone from NovaQuest had anything to do with the site, and didn’t acknowledge that the site was accessible just a few days ago. If it wasn’t connected with NovaQuest, how was the company able to ensure it was taken down so quickly?

This raises an interesting issue - the idea that quickie web sites containing unapproved materials are being created to push a med. This can be a valuable tool - a doc, for instance, somehow is steered to a temporary site which, supposedly, doesn’t contain any corporate fingerprints. This is a new challenge for compliance officers…if they’re paying attention.

Tags:Cymbalta, Eli Lilly, NovaQuest, Quintiles, Unapproved Marketing

[Anonymous]

WOW! First, I can't believe a trainer would think this would be appropriate, second, I can't believe the manager would go along with it. What kind of idiot would think this would be OK? How many times have we discussed GPP? How could you not know this was wrong?

[Anonymous]

WOW! First, I can't believe a trainer would think this would be appropriate, second, I can't believe the manager would go along with it. What kind of idiot would think this would be OK? How many times have we discussed GPP? How could you not know this was wrong?

Who gives a fuck!

Everybody from management down is only checking the box, and collecting a paycheck.

Our glorious Regional is becoming Hitler to justify his paycheck, and the sorry ass redhead is a moron who has no fucking clue, and believes she is "bulletproof" because she is on a stupid counsil. Give me a break!

Listen managers:

Go back to work and spend some time and energy pushing for your reps (items needed to suceed). This is your job, now do it!

[Anonymous]

Are we talking about the same thing? The Regional Trainer is a man.

[Anonymous]

Oh they caught it and took action

[Anonymous]

Will the same people who interviewed and selected this RM ( and then allowed him to carte blanche select the trainer who did this..) be allowed to select the next Western RM? First Boynton, this joker (and his little friend) and now we're expected to respect the replacement?

[Anonymous]

Will the same people who interviewed and selected this RM ( and then allowed him to carte blanche select the trainer who did this..) be allowed to select the next Western RM? First Boynton, this joker (and his little friend) and now we're expected to respect the replacement?

You mean you actually respect NovaQuest?