I predict that we'll soon start seeing the return of gloves as a fashion accessory for men, with padding to lengthen the ring finger.
This is why.
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Disturbing Trend Watch
It didn't take long for the younger set to start wearing them alongside their tribal tattoos. Apparently, there is a market for this new spin on body art. While they have a certain practicality as wearable business cards or permanent medic-alert bracelets, what happens when you change your phone number (or your prescriptions)?
I wonder how long it will take for some bible-thumping televangelist to start calling them the mark of the beast?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Life Line Screening Scam in Town
If you are a Madisonian of a certain age, you may have received a brochure in the mail from a company called Life Line Screening. They are bringing their medicine show to town (for one day only!) at St. Peter's Catholic Church (I assume the church merely rented them a meeting hall and is not actually promoting this snake oil).
For about a hundred and fifty bucks, they will do several unnecessary ultrasound tests to check for a variety of ills. After they have had time to review the images, they will send you a letter telling you whether you should follow up with your doctor.
There are good reasons why Medicare and most health insurance policies do not cover such screening tests in individuals with no symptoms needing diagnosis. Not only is it an unnecessary expenditure, but such screenings do not improve the odds of living a long and healthy life. Yes, you may detect clogged arteries, but if you had no symptoms, there is a good chance that the treatment will be worse than the disease.
This is a good example of what is wrong with our for-profit health care system. Aggressive marketing techniques convince people (and their doctors) that they need procedures that will do little good and may do harm. How many of the fools who pay $150 out-of-pocket for the screening will learn that they have clogged arteries? The letter will convince them that their money was well-spent, and they will go to their doctor (on their insurance carrier's dime) for further tests. A few of them may have unnecessary surgery; a larger number of them will start taking a cholesterol-lowering drug (which works by damaging the liver to suppress its production of cholesterol). Doctors are way too quick to prescribe those drugs, since their education about their safety and efficacy has been provided entirely by the drug companies.
Caveat emptor.
For about a hundred and fifty bucks, they will do several unnecessary ultrasound tests to check for a variety of ills. After they have had time to review the images, they will send you a letter telling you whether you should follow up with your doctor.
There are good reasons why Medicare and most health insurance policies do not cover such screening tests in individuals with no symptoms needing diagnosis. Not only is it an unnecessary expenditure, but such screenings do not improve the odds of living a long and healthy life. Yes, you may detect clogged arteries, but if you had no symptoms, there is a good chance that the treatment will be worse than the disease.
This is a good example of what is wrong with our for-profit health care system. Aggressive marketing techniques convince people (and their doctors) that they need procedures that will do little good and may do harm. How many of the fools who pay $150 out-of-pocket for the screening will learn that they have clogged arteries? The letter will convince them that their money was well-spent, and they will go to their doctor (on their insurance carrier's dime) for further tests. A few of them may have unnecessary surgery; a larger number of them will start taking a cholesterol-lowering drug (which works by damaging the liver to suppress its production of cholesterol). Doctors are way too quick to prescribe those drugs, since their education about their safety and efficacy has been provided entirely by the drug companies.
Caveat emptor.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Who Needs a Working Liver and Pancreas Anyway?
AstraZeneca is now pushing its anti-cholesterol drug Crestor for healthy adults as a preventative measure. It slightly lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, it may increase the risk of diabetes. Also, statins work by suppressing liver function (your liver naturally produces cholesterol).
If the drug companies had their way, everyone would be on at least three expensive prescription medications. They've already convinced the American Academy of Pediatrics to push statins for children as young as eight years old.
The Food and Drug Administration is a weak watchdog at best. Remember Vioxx? It was approved, since drug companies are allowed to cherry-pick the studies they submit to the FDA with their application. Merck voluntarily pulled Vioxx off the market before the FDA got around to doing so, after the drug contributed to thousands of fatal heart attacks. It was fear of wrongful death lawsuits, not FDA regulation, that motivated Merck.
Your doctor is not always a good advocate, either. Everything your doctor knows about the brand-name pharmaceuticals on the market likely came from the companies that sell those pharmaceuticals. The drug companies provide educational materials to medical schools, as well as grants to attend continuing-education conferences like Topics in Preventive Cardiology including Psycho-Social Issues Cruise Conference (a seven-night cruise from Hololulu) and Medical Ethics & Legal Medicine Southern Caribbean Cruise (oh, the delicious irony).
People need to realize that they are consumers of medical care just as they are consumers of groceries, electronics, clothing and beer. Take all television advertising with a grain of salt. The first amendment allows advertisers to make exaggerated claims. They will also try to circumvent your reason with an appeal to your emotions. Caveat emptor.
If your doctor prescribes a drug, make sure you understand the risks and benefits. There is a good chance that your doctor won't know about the studies that are less than favorable, since they were probably not discussed on that cruise conference he or she attended last winter. Do some research. Check out the British press, since European regulators often require more disclosure of unfavorable studies.
And if your prescription medication causes some unpleasant side effects, ask yourself if you really need to be on it before you decide to take a second medication to fix the problems caused by the first one.
And for the love of Pete, if you live in Wisconsin, think long and hard before you start taking statins. You're going to need to keep your liver in good working condition.
If the drug companies had their way, everyone would be on at least three expensive prescription medications. They've already convinced the American Academy of Pediatrics to push statins for children as young as eight years old.
The Food and Drug Administration is a weak watchdog at best. Remember Vioxx? It was approved, since drug companies are allowed to cherry-pick the studies they submit to the FDA with their application. Merck voluntarily pulled Vioxx off the market before the FDA got around to doing so, after the drug contributed to thousands of fatal heart attacks. It was fear of wrongful death lawsuits, not FDA regulation, that motivated Merck.
Your doctor is not always a good advocate, either. Everything your doctor knows about the brand-name pharmaceuticals on the market likely came from the companies that sell those pharmaceuticals. The drug companies provide educational materials to medical schools, as well as grants to attend continuing-education conferences like Topics in Preventive Cardiology including Psycho-Social Issues Cruise Conference (a seven-night cruise from Hololulu) and Medical Ethics & Legal Medicine Southern Caribbean Cruise (oh, the delicious irony).
People need to realize that they are consumers of medical care just as they are consumers of groceries, electronics, clothing and beer. Take all television advertising with a grain of salt. The first amendment allows advertisers to make exaggerated claims. They will also try to circumvent your reason with an appeal to your emotions. Caveat emptor.
If your doctor prescribes a drug, make sure you understand the risks and benefits. There is a good chance that your doctor won't know about the studies that are less than favorable, since they were probably not discussed on that cruise conference he or she attended last winter. Do some research. Check out the British press, since European regulators often require more disclosure of unfavorable studies.
And if your prescription medication causes some unpleasant side effects, ask yourself if you really need to be on it before you decide to take a second medication to fix the problems caused by the first one.
And for the love of Pete, if you live in Wisconsin, think long and hard before you start taking statins. You're going to need to keep your liver in good working condition.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
NIMBY Neighbors Prefer Hole in the Ground to Target
Earlier this week, there was a neighborhood meeting to discuss plans for a new, smaller-than-usual Target store next to Hilldale mall, in the large hole that was dug for the aborted Whole Foods project.
While many welcomed it, there were, predictably, some loudmouthed NIMBYs who oppose another big store. Wake up, folks, you chose to live by a shopping mall. What the hell did you expect?
One man expressed concern with their product mix, saying he doesn't want another outlet for the People's Republic of China. Others urged Target to pay livable wages.
Most of the overpriced clothing sold at Macy's is made in China (Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Mexico are also represented). I knew a young woman who worked at one of those overpriced Hilldale boutiques, and she did not make a living wage. As for the size of the store, were they this concerned over the Whole Foods proposal? How about the big Borders bookstore nearby?
I suspect that most of their objection is actually not to the size of the store (a design that Target has used in a few other urban settings), the source of their products or the wages they will pay, but to their target demographic. Most of the stores at Hilldale are seriously overpriced to keep out the riff-raff.
This project is golden. Target even agreed to put the parking underground and pay for all of it without TIF money. The extra customers will occasionally patronize the other stores at Hilldale, so the whole area will get a boost. If it's not good enough for you, move to Maple Bluff (no big box stores there).
While many welcomed it, there were, predictably, some loudmouthed NIMBYs who oppose another big store. Wake up, folks, you chose to live by a shopping mall. What the hell did you expect?
One man expressed concern with their product mix, saying he doesn't want another outlet for the People's Republic of China. Others urged Target to pay livable wages.
Most of the overpriced clothing sold at Macy's is made in China (Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Mexico are also represented). I knew a young woman who worked at one of those overpriced Hilldale boutiques, and she did not make a living wage. As for the size of the store, were they this concerned over the Whole Foods proposal? How about the big Borders bookstore nearby?
I suspect that most of their objection is actually not to the size of the store (a design that Target has used in a few other urban settings), the source of their products or the wages they will pay, but to their target demographic. Most of the stores at Hilldale are seriously overpriced to keep out the riff-raff.
This project is golden. Target even agreed to put the parking underground and pay for all of it without TIF money. The extra customers will occasionally patronize the other stores at Hilldale, so the whole area will get a boost. If it's not good enough for you, move to Maple Bluff (no big box stores there).
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Nothing Draws Kids to the Liquor Store Like a Clydesdale in the Parking Lot
I stopped at Woodman's after work today to stock up for the holiday weekend. I noticed a Clydesdale standing nonchalantly just outside the liquor store entrance. Yes, a horse can be nonchalant. This one looked so mellow, he might have been sedated (no head-tossing or hoof-stomping, despite being repeatedly poked by squealing children). I knew it must be a Budweiser promotion, even though there were no visible signs, and the horse wore no logoed tack.
Sure enough, as I approached the entrance, I saw a man standing just in front of the horse, fielding questions from the crowd, wearing a polo shirt with a discreet embroidered Budweiser logo. I was tempted to ask him if they've sold much of that Budweiser + Clamato crap. However, he was surrounded by parents with children, so I decided against it.
Once inside, I noticed the line of carts in both check-out lines. I saw cases of Coors and Miller products, but no Budweiser. I guess the Clydesdale can't close the deal. Oh, well -- I suppose if the animal mascot manages to inspire brand loyalty in the next generation of beer drinkers, it will be worth the cost of fuel for the horse trailer.
In the store's beer cooler, I saw a fairly visible section devoted to Budweiser + Lime. I searched the vicinity and saw a token six-pack of Budweiser + Clamato on the top shelf. I did not buy it.
While paying for my weekend supply of Bailey's miniatures and fruity beer substitutes, I couldn't resist asking the cashier if he had seen any customers buy that Budweiser + Clamato product. As an added bonus, he was a twenty-something Hispanic man, the product's target demographic. I hoped he might share some first-hand experience.
He did not disappoint me. "My brother brought some over one night," he sheepishly admitted, "and we tried it. It was absolutely disgusting."
He did not say if any customers had bought it. I'm betting no one bought it twice.
Sure enough, as I approached the entrance, I saw a man standing just in front of the horse, fielding questions from the crowd, wearing a polo shirt with a discreet embroidered Budweiser logo. I was tempted to ask him if they've sold much of that Budweiser + Clamato crap. However, he was surrounded by parents with children, so I decided against it.
Once inside, I noticed the line of carts in both check-out lines. I saw cases of Coors and Miller products, but no Budweiser. I guess the Clydesdale can't close the deal. Oh, well -- I suppose if the animal mascot manages to inspire brand loyalty in the next generation of beer drinkers, it will be worth the cost of fuel for the horse trailer.
In the store's beer cooler, I saw a fairly visible section devoted to Budweiser + Lime. I searched the vicinity and saw a token six-pack of Budweiser + Clamato on the top shelf. I did not buy it.
While paying for my weekend supply of Bailey's miniatures and fruity beer substitutes, I couldn't resist asking the cashier if he had seen any customers buy that Budweiser + Clamato product. As an added bonus, he was a twenty-something Hispanic man, the product's target demographic. I hoped he might share some first-hand experience.
He did not disappoint me. "My brother brought some over one night," he sheepishly admitted, "and we tried it. It was absolutely disgusting."
He did not say if any customers had bought it. I'm betting no one bought it twice.
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