Former CNS manager now in primary care. The future is slightly better!

[Anonymous]

Probably because they no longer have a cns salesforce.

Andy why do they no longer have a CNS sales force? Because Pristique is a weak player in a generic market!

 

[Anonymous]

AZ just licensed a CNS drug to Impax-Zomig......if they wanted something for the CNS sales force to do, they could have had it. If you are already calling on that speciality why not promote this drug too? Oh, yeah - contract sales force cost less.

 

[Anonymous]

UCB are hiring for CNS jobs, not contract, headcount.

 

[Anonymous]

Just wondering.... STILL have the same thoughts??????

Yes, the CEO just resigned and the Seroquel XR is tanking due to generic Seroquel! Profits are down 44% in the first quarter! You really think Pristique is going to save you?

Seroquel Hit is Coming:

Although the main hit from the loss of Seroquel is yet to come, group sales already fell 11 percent in the first three months, weighed down by wholesaler destocking of the drug, a tough year-ago comparison and generic competition for other drugs in Europe.

Bernstein analyst Tim Anderson summed up the results in an email headlined "Ouch!", noting that Crestor, Seroquel and Nexium sales were all below forecasts and the performance in nearly all geographies was weak.

Sales in the quarter were $7.35 billion, generating "core" earnings, which exclude certain items, down 19 percent at $1.81 a share. Reported pretax profit slumped 38 percent to $2.05 billion.

Analysts, on average, had forecast sales in the quarter of $7.92 billion and earnings of $1.79 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

AstraZeneca cut its forecast for full-year core earnings to between $5.85 and $6.15 a share from $6.00-$6.30 previously and against $7.28 in 2011. It also said revenues in 2012 would fall by a low- to mid-teen percentage rate, after previously predicting a low double-digit rate.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, the CEO just resigned and the Seroquel XR is tanking due to generic Seroquel! Profits are down 44% in the first quarter! You really think Pristique is going to save you?

Seroquel Hit is Coming:

Although the main hit from the loss of Seroquel is yet to come, group sales already fell 11 percent in the first three months, weighed down by wholesaler destocking of the drug, a tough year-ago comparison and generic competition for other drugs in Europe.

Bernstein analyst Tim Anderson summed up the results in an email headlined "Ouch!", noting that Crestor, Seroquel and Nexium sales were all below forecasts and the performance in nearly all geographies was weak.

Sales in the quarter were $7.35 billion, generating "core" earnings, which exclude certain items, down 19 percent at $1.81 a share. Reported pretax profit slumped 38 percent to $2.05 billion.

Analysts, on average, had forecast sales in the quarter of $7.92 billion and earnings of $1.79 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

AstraZeneca cut its forecast for full-year core earnings to between $5.85 and $6.15 a share from $6.00-$6.30 previously and against $7.28 in 2011. It also said revenues in 2012 would fall by a low- to mid-teen percentage rate, after previously predicting a low double-digit rate.

Early view numbers indicate the Seroquel XR is starting to sink fast. CNS is not the place to be.

 

[Anonymous]

Same here, former CNS in the Midwest. I felt fortunate to land in Crestor, Symbicort land! So what if it is primary care. I see zero future for Seroquel XR!

No disrespect to my former CNS colleagues, but lets honestly see how XR is doing in September!

Just got the latest Seroquel XR Suite of Reports. XR is starting to drop like a rock. Pristiq will do nothing to save CNS in the long run.

 

[Anonymous]

Serious answer here. I get it. You earned your way to a specialty spot which was once the coveted goal, and now feel, even though your salary and FSIP are untouched, you have been demoted. Here's the reality from a primary care perspective. There are no more "specialty" jobs. CVAS/Hospital call on different customers, but have no more freedom or flexibility. Oncology is all about execution. Diabetes calls on Primary Care physicians. Your ego is responding to a 2007 environment. Get over it. If this displacement is oo hard to swallow, quit. There are 1150 displaced, but still active employees, ready to take the job.

Well said. There are no more specialty jobs. Just jobs where the territory is very large or, as in cvas and hospital, where your job is up in the air day to day. I know they are puting the later on performance plans as we type. I have seen some come through the office today. The company wants more Medicine like reps.
REALITY, sorry.

 

[Anonymous]

UCB are hiring for CNS jobs, not contract, headcount.

yeah this true! Just had a friend of mine with 10 years in pharma sign on with them at a $105,000, $15,000 that he was making! They have 2 drugs for CNS, Neupro and Vimpat.

 

[Anonymous]

I am hearing of more CNS people leaving the company! Looks like the writing is on the wall!

 

[Anonymous]

Four former CNS reps in Arizona left AZ and joined Otsuka. They clearly thought the future was brighter elsewhere!

 

[Anonymous]

Four former CNS reps in Arizona left AZ and joined Otsuka. They clearly thought the future was brighter elsewhere!

Name them the lucky ones!

 

[Anonymous]

Name them the lucky ones!

I know two that are bitches!

 

[Anonymous]

yeah this true! Just had a friend of mine with 10 years in pharma sign on with them at a $105,000, $15,000 that he was making! They have 2 drugs for CNS, Neupro and Vimpat.

Be careful with UCB. They will hire and then lay off without a care in the world. Yes, you can say that about most Pharma's these days, but UCB is one of the worst.

 

[Anonymous]

Four former CNS reps in Arizona left AZ and joined Otsuka. They clearly thought the future was brighter elsewhere!

The HR guy at Otsuka is a former AZ guy - K D.

Probably has something to do with it.

 

[Anonymous]

Just got the latest Seroquel XR Suite of Reports. XR is starting to drop like a rock. Pristiq will do nothing to save CNS in the long run.

Yes, it is tanking now.

 

[Anonymous]

What happened in Greenville Sc? Why is that territory open?

 

[Anonymous]

Just one more reason I am glad I was rolled into Primary Care from CNS. Yes, I know the ship is sinking, but Symbicort alone might give me two more years with the company.

I do feel sorry for my cohorts that were laid off. Some certainly did not deserve it. However, since I was not, two more years is two more years. Two more years of salary, bonus, 401 k, company matching, benefits, car, and the freedom to look for a new job should a good opportunity pop up.

Two years from now when I am laid off, maybe the job market is in better shape. You never know.............

I am with you. I am in primary care now and things are going great! How long will it last? Who knows, but I feel like I have a job for a least two more years. There is no doubt Seroquel XR is doomed.

 

[Anonymous]

Senior management knew the Targacept drug had a very minor chance of success at the time of the layoff. This is why the best CNS reps were moved to primary care. They also knew that the UK courts might invalidate the Seroquel XR patent. Both of these events have now come to pass. If you are still with CNS, you are now a part of a skeleton sales force that has no reason to exist unless AZ can in license a new CNS product. Be honest, what are the odds that will happen in the next 6-12 months?

The OP was right. You should be looking for a job right now. Think of it as a blessing that you probably have till December 2012 to find a new job. The Seroquel XR numbers are going to start declining every month starting in about August, and even your boss knows it is not your fault. Use your time wisely and get out! Of course, if you just want the package, stay till December 2012.

Seroquel XR continues to decline. Spot on! However, I am riding the wave out of here!

 

[Anonymous]

I am sure there are exceptions to the rule, but in my area the OP appears to be correct. The higher ranked CNS reps were moved to primary care. The lower ranked CNS reps stayed CNS and the lowest ranked CNS were displaced. I am not saying this to offend anyone, just posting my observations.

Well, here we are over a year later. I was moved to Primary Care and I am still with AZ. I am doing quite well! My former CNS partner has now left the company. He/She could not hack the pressure of Seroquel IR eating their lunch every day! Plus, He/She's new boss did not care for this rep.

I like my boss and my selling partners. In the end, I have won being moved to primary care.

 

[Anonymous]

If you are a Specialist are you still calling on Primary Care? When is Seroquel XR set to expire? Is there a 50/50 split on incentive comp. between Pristiq and Seq? Lastly, what is the typical salary range for this Spec. position? There are posting in my area and any anwsers would be greatly appreciated. Have they gone to car allowance? I though that I heard this to be true. Thank sfor your anwsers.