ostrich

The ostrich has become a staple of many pharmaceutical science presentations of late, symbolizing an industry that is reluctant to change. Perhaps it could symbolize some of the more shortsighted pharma CEO's at this point in the 21st century. With all due respect, as CEOs face a tough balancing act today, I have a few questions for this elite group:

From 'On Pharma'

Fewer and fewer of the men (and occasionally women) that are chosen to head up drug companies come from a scientific background. Most are businesspeople by trade, or perhaps accountants and economists. Merck's incoming CEO Ken Frazier, who takes over for Richard Clark upon his forced retirement at 65, is a lawyer. This expertise has come in handy in helping the company navigate the Vioxx crisis.

From 'On Pharma'

Uberblogger Pharmagossip and the expert satirist Pharmagiles recently posted riffs inspired by the GSK whistleblower case, with Pharmagiles setting the lyrics to Harry Belafonte's famous Banana Boat Song. Click here for a view.

From 'On Pharma'

A growing number of pharma CEOs are now dealing with the consequences of failing to care about workplace realities and what Toyota called the gemba, or place where truth will be found.

If the idea of reading a book on ethics or philosophy is too off-putting....after all, it has been a rough week....why not simply listen to The Clash's hit song "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" The answer's right there. "If I go there will be trouble, and if I stay it will be double."  
From 'On Pharma'

Pharma whistleblowers don't always fare too well...especially those who deal with the invisible world of manufacturing.  Remember Mark Livingston and the Wyeth Sarbanes-Oxley case? However, Cheryl Eckard, who pointed out manufacturing deficiencies at GSK's Cidra, Puerto Rico, plant has received a $96-million payment.  For more from The Guardian, read on.  They've included

From 'On Pharma'

Just read Mina Kimes' enlightening account of the J&J McNeil quality disaster in Fortune. Forget about the fact that the adulterated products did not and most likely would not have harmed consumers, the problems cited are very serious and go straight to the heart of GMP's.

From 'On Pharma'

Every so often, one gets a major reminder of the strategic importance of manufacturing and the largely invisible "CGMP set" to the drug industry and, yes, its bottom line. Former FDA chief Mark McClellan gave pharma a good one years ago with his famous "potato chips and soap flakes"  comment, immortalized in a Wall Street Journal piece. Typically, manufacturing continues to be thought of something that will get done....quietly, invisibly, wherever and by whomever.

From 'On Pharma'

Did anyone miss President Obama's recent announcement that he plans to put an end to corporate tax loopholes (a mainstay for every major pharma and biotech company in the world....)More from Bloomberg and the President himself. 

From 'On Pharma'

Busy and eventful week.  Michele's on her way to Ireland to visit biotech and pharma labs, and Paul had nice interviews with AstraZeneca's CEO David Brennan and former House majority leader Dick Gephardt. 

From 'On Pharma'

I spent yesterday afternoon at the Forum for Medical Innovation in downtown Chicago, hosted by the Council for American Medical Innovation and moderated by former U.S. House of Representatives majority leader Dick Gephardt. The event also featured AstraZeneca CEO David Brennan as a guest speaker. David Brennan

From 'On Pharma'