Can anyone give me an honest opinion? I was called to interview for the above drugs; knowing Allergan is a great company. I have no doubt it's not 'perfect' but nothing is in this industry.
But I hear that Lastacaft has a competitor? Pataday or something like that.
As for Restasis...doesn't Alcon (company) compete with this?
Just not sure the job seems good since the rep prior was let go. I was told that when one company owns the market (Allergan vs. Alcon) with this market--the room to 'switch' is a tough road to plow.
Any honest feedback would be appreciated. I know your company does very well overall. Just not sure about these two drugs in that marketplace.
I would like to take exception to your comment about Allergan being a great company. What makes a company 'great'? If it only the bottom line and how much money they make for investors, maybe it would be considered 'really good'. Alot of that is due to the continual price hiking of our products EVEN THOUGH the mission statement is to provide AFFORDABLE drugs. When you consider glaucoma is for an aging population and the biggest market for restasis is for peri and menopausal women why are prices going through the roof? Gotta meet that bottom line and grow at 20% regardless of the economy.
Now lets look at the willingness for the company to bid on contracts to keep prices lower for those who do have insurance. Allergan stays in the game in high profile territories, but when it comes to the poorer states like Carolinas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee they are not willing to step it up and stay in the game to provide those drugs at reasonable prices. NOTE: if you are currently in those territories your bonuses will be very low and your probability of making awards &trips are pretty slim. You will need to live in Florida, Atlanta, etc. where they bid more aggressively.
Now, how about how they treat those who work for them. I will agree, allergan USED TO BE a great place to work, in fact, bordering on FANTASTIC/AWESOME. A few years ago, Allergan's upper management brought in mid level managers who were from J &J and other big pharma companies. The changes began to happen. We are no longer people. We no longer have a life. Why do you think they are so big on those slide shows at the national meetings showing us what a great balance of life we have here at Allergan??? If you have to be told or sold on it, its not true. Noone seems happy. People are keeping low and just trying to get through to the end of the quarter or the year. I xant tell you how many times I've heard Dustin tell reps they are easily replaced. Yes, that is a true statement, but what decent guy goes around with that threat? It's now all about a culture of fear and intimidation.
Next, consider the products and the pipeline. We were told for years how strong our pipeline is. Since restasis was launched we have not put out a novel drug in eyecare. It's nothing but line extentions designed to make more money on the backs of the elderly. Then they send us out to tellcustomers a bag of tricks-its such a better product. Really? So write lumigan .01% at $75 to $80 monthly for a point better than generic xalatan at $5. And if your're in a state that requires generics first you should coerce the doctor to say the generic failed and put the patient on brand?
There will be cutbacks in personnel. There is NO COMPANY who can survive with drugs with generic counterparts and not one original product to sell. Be smart. Think for yourself. Don't listen to the company line (like listening to news media about candidates-only what they want you to hear). Brush ooff that resume and start looking. Be prepared.
