On Friday, I was surprised, and---okay, I'll admit it--- flattered to receive a call from an American newspaper reporter in London who was writing an article on GSK's new public relations effort (in which the company's U.S. sales force will spearhead its P.R.) Eager to check on my 15 femtoseconds of fame, I visited the newspaper's web site this morning only to discover, first hand, why so many of you hate speaking to the press (even the trade press): only a portion of my quote was used, and it was used in the wrong context. What I'd said was that GSK would achieve far more by having its R&D scientists, its engineers and its manufacturing people talk about how difficult it is to develop new drugs, produce them, and modernize manufacturing, all while meeting FDA regulations. If you're curious, you can read what was actually printed here. It missed the whole point. Sure, let the sales people go out, but have them play video clips and interviews of people actually doing the work, rather than spouting facts about the drug industry and what it's doing.
- AMS
