I do not work in the medical community, so I asked one of my long friends on the yahoo message board to respond. He works in the medical profession. I did not want to give you just my impressions from what I have read, so I went to an expert.
Mesaone, As you requested:
I have taken the time to speak with several Cardiac Surgeons and
Anesthesiologists about the volume expansion product, Hextend.
The Beav may simply be talking to a doc who knows relatively very
little about this product. When I first approached physicians they knew very little of the product Hextend. They have knowledge of hetastarch and things of the like. This is not surprising because there has been no marketing to date. Physicians hear about this type of thing through Journal Articles, hearsay, the Clinical Pharmacist in the hospital where they work, the RN's they work with, etc. Most physicians are very accustomed to using products that have served them reasonably well over time. Many do not entertain change unless there is suitable raeson to do so.
In recent years, for obvious reasons, physicians are becoming more aware of reimbursement issues both for themselves and the hospitals
where they practice. Communication has gradually improved between
the somewhat natural enemies; the hospital administration and the
physicians. One needs to consider the fact that most physicians
are very busy trying to maintain their pre-nineties revenue stream and are not looking at these boards. In my opinion we need
the product, the Journal Reviews, and some creative yet honest
marketing. The docs inherently want to do the best for their patients but most do not want to plow new ground. Smaller
groups and hospitals will likely take a "wait and see" approach to this product when it does come out. If it does what we all
sincerely believe it will, then watch the hospitals and the docs come to the feeder. Abbott comes to my institution often yet they do not attempt to market the product. They can't and shouldn't until all FDA requirements are met. Smart on their part. You can bet they
have their marketing ploy ready to go when all the ducks are in
line. Abbott, Baxter, McGaw, and all the others are very very
competitive. You watch, they will go for the big purchasing
groups like Premiere when they get the green light. Longs do not
be dismayed by the "beav", he/she may have actually run into some
physician who does not know much about it. This is not bad and
should not come as a surprise. We need the product on the market.
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