I think this is a blockbuster issue you might also . - Page 2

Achiever51 · 02-08-2008, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innova

Commercials like this would lead you to believe that Lipitor is the best option for lowering cholesterol, despite the fact that the majority of trials do not pit drugs in the same class against each other! In most cases the companies need only prove their products superior to placebo.

Why take Lipitor when generic simvastatin (or several others) is available for much cheaper? I'd have no problem 'trusting my heart' to a cheaper alternative

Did you know that Lipitor will be off-patent soon and this ad campaign is a push to get people to clamor for brand-name drugs?

Silly drug company games.

I was initially prescribed Lipitor and switched to the generic simvastatin at the "suggestion" of my benefits provider (read: we'll cover all but $10 of the generic if you switch, but if you won't, you'll pay most of the cost of Lipitor) and my cholesterol ratio actually improved more with the generic than the Lipitor.

And yes, you are correct about the rationale for the ad campaigns directed to the consumer. The whole idea is to get the patient to ask for the drug by name from his/her doctor..."Doc, should I be on Lipitor?"

**Rich_in_Tampa** · 02-08-2008, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haha

This thread seems to be making strange assumptions. Dr. Jarvick has probably helped more heart patients than a whole city's contingent of cardiologists.

I don't think so. People on artificial hearts are very few and far between, often waiting for a transplant donor to die so they can get off the artificial heart. If it saves lives, it is quite rare and only for brief periods of time.

A single smart GP who prescribes statins appropriately will save in the range of 1 life per year for every 200-250 people he or she treats. Year after year after year. My sense is that atorvastatin can be credited with saving many more lives than the Jarvick heart, many times over.

The ad is misleading, the authority of Dr. Jarvick in this area is misleading, the drug is a good one, but broadly overused and over-priced. It goes off patent in 2010. How much would you bet that the manufacturer will come up with a new, patented improved version shortly thereafter?

HFWR · 02-08-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Achiever51

"Doc, should I be on Lipitor?"

Just don't mistake Flonase for Flomax...

clifp · 02-08-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

Agreed. Bad ad.

Of course, most people who watch it will be thinking: "That guy rows good for someone with an artificial heart."

When I saw that ad, I remember thinking. There aren't many doctors I know by name Jarvick is one of the few. I absolutely had the impression that he was a cardiologist and an active sportsman. I even commented I bet that is one celebrity endorsement ad which is worthwhile

So as a recent Pfzier shareholder, I'd give the ad a 9 on the effectiveness scale and 7 on the misleading scale.

mickeyd · 02-08-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Just don't mistake Flonase for Flomax...[

Or Viagra for Vioxx....

RetireeRobert · 02-08-2008, 06:17 PM

Dr Jarvik-----where did the *Dr* part of his name come from?

PhD doctor, or medical doctor by training, just not with a currently active license?

NotSoonEnough · 02-08-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetireeRobert

Dr Jarvik-----where did the *Dr* part of his name come from?

PhD doctor, or medical doctor by training, just not with a currently active license?

His Wiki bio, but it should be taken with a grain of NaCl given all the recent edits to the entry...

Robert Jarvik - Wikipedia
Revision history of Robert Jarvik - Wikipedia

mickeyd · 02-08-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Jarvik is married to Parade magazine columnist Marilyn vos Savant.[2]

This may be his most impressive credentials. Marilyn vos Savant is generally considered to be one of the smartest folks in the USA as I recall.

RetireeRobert · 02-08-2008, 09:39 PM

Thanks for the links. So Dr Jarvik is a med school graduated MD, but never did his internship or residency or got licensed. And he has a Master's degree in medical engineering. And is married to one super-smart woman.

Interesting.

TromboneAl · 02-10-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Jarvik is married to Parade magazine columnist Marilyn vos Savant.

That's why he's out making commercials instead of being at home.

"Yes, I know that you're the smartest person in the world, but why do I always have to take out the garbage."

RetireeRobert · 02-10-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

That's why he's out making commercials instead of being at home.

"Yes, I know that you're the smartest person in the world, but why do I always have to take out the garbage."

Marquette · 02-10-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

That's why he's out making commercials instead of being at home.

"Yes, I know that you're the smartest person in the world, but why do I always have to take out the garbage."

Man, imagine how every argument goes at home. "Well, honey, you're wrong, and I know this because not only am I your wife but I also happen to be the smartest person in the world."

mickeyd · 02-10-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

"Well, honey, you're wrong, and I know this because not only am I your wife but I also happen to be the smartest person in the world."

Retort: "Well, you were smart enough to marry me and I was smart enough to make a fortune on that artificial heart deal and the Lipitor deal. So there!"

poboy · 02-10-2008, 07:21 PM

End of conversation retort: You couldn't even get a license to practice medicine.

TromboneAl · 02-25-2008, 10:20 PM

Pfizer pulled the ad today.

shoe · 02-27-2008, 12:56 PM

Well I read something interesting about Vicks Vaporub. I guess some guy was using it for jock-itch because of it's reputed anti-fungal qualities. He got some on his p*nis and he said it was poor man's Viagra. Look it up! It's true!

Achiever51 · 02-27-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shoe

Well I read something interesting about Vicks Vaporub. I guess some guy was using it for jock-itch because of it's reputed anti-fungal qualities. He got some on his p*nis and he said it was poor man's Viagra. Look it up! It's true!

Hmmm. Bet he's one lonely dude. What woman in her right mind would want to come near him??

I can only imagine the bedside conversation:
"Don't worry, honey. That Vicks took care of the FUNGUS...and I don't think you have to worry about catching a cold either. Oh, by the way, I happen to think that the SMELL of VapoRub is a real turn on, too!"

right.

REWahoo · 02-27-2008, 01:14 PM

Now that's an innovative way to clear your sinuses....

Marquette · 02-27-2008, 01:17 PM

"honey, why does this thing taste like vaporub?" Oh, I dunno.

"honey, why is my mouth going numb?" Ummmm....

Achiever51 · 02-27-2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo

Now that's an innovative way to clear your sinuses....

02-08-2008, 06:17 PM	#26
RetireeRobert Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 831	Dr Jarvik-----where did the Dr part of his name come from? PhD doctor, or medical doctor by training, just not with a currently active license? __________________ Dreams Worth Dreaming are Dreams Worth Planning For. I Spent a Career Planning for Early Retirement.

02-08-2008, 09:39 PM	#29
RetireeRobert Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 831	Thanks for the links. So Dr Jarvik is a med school graduated MD, but never did his internship or residency or got licensed. And he has a Master's degree in medical engineering. And is married to one super-smart woman. Interesting. __________________ Dreams Worth Dreaming are Dreams Worth Planning For. I Spent a Career Planning for Early Retirement.

02-10-2008, 07:21 PM	#34
poboy Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 361	End of conversation retort: You couldn't even get a license to practice medicine. __________________ Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

02-25-2008, 10:20 PM	#35
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,116	Pfizer pulled the ad today. __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

02-27-2008, 01:14 PM	#38
REWahoo Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 11,518	Now that's an innovative way to clear your sinuses.... __________________ [MODERATOR EDIT]

02-27-2008, 12:56 PM	#36
shoe Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 139	Well I read something interesting about Vicks Vaporub. I guess some guy was using it for jock-itch because of it's reputed anti-fungal qualities. He got some on his p*nis and he said it was poor man's Viagra. Look it up! It's true!

02-27-2008, 01:17 PM	#39
Marquette Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2,020	"honey, why does this thing taste like vaporub?" Oh, I dunno. "honey, why is my mouth going numb?" Ummmm....