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Biotech / Medical : VVUS: VIVUS INC. (NASDAQ) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DaiS who wrote (11276)	7/12/1998 2:42:00 PM
From: Zebra 365	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 23519

<<Do you think it is really possible that Pfizer reps might be going around telling/"threatening" PCPs not to prescribe muse.>> Dai, I seriously doubt that. And I doubt that pharmacies are prohibited from selling MUSE. Many PCP's in the US are winding up on productivity schedules that make it difficult to prescribe MUSE in a time-effective manner, i.e. it takes more time to explain than a pill. I suggested to the VVUS rep, that VVUS should produce a "starter pack" with 2 - 250's, one 500, and one 1000ug that would be given for initial home titration. With the instructional video, and the toll free number for nurse support, this would make MUSE as easy to prescribe as Viagra. If MUSE is made as easy to prescribe as Viagra for the PCP, a major marketing hurdle in the US is overcome. I've also E-mailed this idea to VVUS. The truth is that Viagra has had a HUGE amount of free publicity in the US. I think that, honestly, if you were to put a dollar value on making any other prescription drug a household name, you would need to spend several billion dollars on advertising. PFE got this for free, VVUS has not had the same free promotion. But, when doctors have two methods to choose from, one of which has fewer side effects, they will go with the safer method, if it does not cost them (the doctors) a lot to do so. If you are under pressure to see 4-5 patients an hour, Viagra is the obvious choice. Zebra Personal note. I saw your profile, brought back old memories, I did a six-week rotation in the primary surgery in Brecon, Wales back in 1979 as a medical student. I doubt the IHS has changed much since then, as it had changed little from 1948 to the time I was there. I visited Swansea on a weekend trip. I am a history nut and it was incredible to me to be able to see 2000 years of history just walking around Brecon (Aberhonndu, I believe was the Welsh name)