Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

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

To: Zebra 365 who wrote (11290)	7/12/1998 3:02:00 PM
From: VLAD	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 23519

Zebra, I think your last post hit one important fact on the head -- time is money. IMO your suggestion to Vivus regarding the starter kit is an EXCELLENT idea. Reports of urologists with Viagra rubber stamps made for their prescription pads clearly demonstrates that they did not have enough time to write out Viagra scripts let alone even think about spending any time discussing MUSE as an alternative. I still believe that Edderd is correct in his prediction that MUSE scripts will indeed see a slow but gradual recovery as the Viagra hype fades. I have a friend who is an extremely dedicated internist who has recently almost lost his job (his latest punishment was a cut in pay). His crime was spending too many minutes with each patient. This guy is SO dedicated that he often reviews his patients files the evening before their appointments just so he is aware of their prior medical history before he sees them. I discussed the Viagra/MUSE story with him. His comment was that Viagra was initially going to take the ED market by storm (as it did) because of the ease of administration AND the doctor:patient time factor to begin treatment. His remarks about MUSE was that it was an effective product but would have to wait for Viagra failures to come back for further treatment. He also thought that doctor's time factor was going to easily override any safety concerns until if and when a more precautionary label insert is produced.

To: Zebra 365 who wrote (11290)	7/12/1998 5:46:00 PM
From: DaiS	Read Replies (1) \| 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. }} Oh Zebra you spoiled my fun and conspiracy theory. But if the ad referred to in the yahoo post is accurate, then a Pfizer rep is under obligation to say to a PCP "Remember, if you prescribe viagra you must make sure that the patient is not using muse." Zebra are you saying that this is definitely not what is happening?? Pity because I wished to say something like: "So now we know why the scripts aren't turning in US. They never will turn, not this year anyway. A combination of the Pfizer reps discouraging PCPs to use muse and the PCPs themselves having little training or enthusiasm to use it, thanks to Vivus' ignorance. On this basis it is surprising that muse has kept 50% of the repeat scripts, men for whom it works well and have resisted the pressure to drop it. We watched and fretted over the horizontal script data for 5-6 weeks. Of course it couldn't go up, no way. The Innovex reps had no chance from the start. Do you remember Bradpalm1 - the man who says muse is a good concept and reasonable product - praise the Vivus rep girl who came to see him and give a good balanced presentation. The secret was out there all right. Well at least we, and Vivus hopefully, know where we stand now." I am very suspicious that there has been no coat-tail effect despite all the justifications advanced. DaiS It was great to hear that you had been in Brecon and visited Swansea