There was a time when Merck reigned supreme, largely on the merits of Zocor. Then along came Lipitor. Our Marketing people were incompetent, not that it mattered. Lipitor was a better mousetrap and Zocor was in trouble. Today, Merck is stumbling. Our brightest star is now the aging Januvia. I'm sure you've all seen the news of Jardiance's effect on CV events in high-risk patients. Let's face it, Jardiance is a better mousetrap. Our bumbling Marketing people will do their best to tell you otherwise, but let me assure you that Januvia just got Lipitorized. Januvia is in trouble, just like Merck. Let the slaughter begin.
So true. There is no innovation or growth. Just treading water and liquidating assets. Merck has been in a glide pattern downward for the last 15 years. No more lift. Just a matter of time before it hits the ground. Prepare for a hard landing.
The list of those to thank for the R&D failures is probably longer than just Peter Kim. The list of people to thank for the downright evil approach to reducing headcount is a mile long. Management's blood-money paychecks have been flowing for at least 7-8 years, during which the only management objective has been to destroy careers.
The number of "stupid" Merck employees has been getting smaller every single day for over 12 years. Fact. That's not a good sign of a company's health.
So how do we fix it beyond stating the top ten incompetent leaders? In need of action. R and D still alive but resource allocation and the roadblocks removed is hard. Pharmacology mandate is to say no to most everything except the pet projects. And outsourced work is expensive with a slower turn around time. List is long.
I'd recommend a new employer. Ken and Adam also recommend a new employer. Your absence means a less repulsive bottom line next quarter and more money for them. Come on people, they want us all to resign! Let's do it for Mother! 40,000 others already have...
