|
Post by rockstarrick on Jun 2, 2015 11:58:06 GMT -5
I said long ago that I thought social media would be key to helping Afrezza get off the ground. Today, I think it is even more important due to, imo, the abysmal roll out of the drug. Many of the first users realize how Afrezza has liberated them to live their lives. If they want to continue to have access to Afrezza, they will need to anoint themselves as Afrezza Evangelists to get the word out to others to try it. They have a lot to loose if SNY can't create any momentum for Afrezza. What is still amazing to me is the (near infinite) ratio of Afrezza social media success stories to those that did not like it (I can only recall maybe 3 or 4 that decided not to continue for some moderate complication) No, I think SNY waiting for Insurance to drop a tier coupled with the FD-AOK to advertise at the 6+ month mark (and just after ADA)- this is the event that alters the script trajectory (albeit plus 6-8 weeks for the script process to run it's course). I'm in the camp that the 'abysmal roll-out' was the plan. They likely needed to observe adoption and adapt their marketing and selling to it. The controlled launch was nothing short of genius. I believe many of the Endos first targeted were ones that already knew of Afrezza and how it works, through the clinical trials. It s obvious that Sanofi is now targeting a larger, less informed group of Healthcare Providers. Education is only useful when coupled with experience. Even though Sanofi is educating these new Drs, they will have to experience the success of Afrezza before they are completely comfortable and knowledgeable on the product. Time is on our side.
|
|
|
Post by mnholdem on Jun 2, 2015 13:38:17 GMT -5
I've come to the conclusion that the "dismal" controlled launch was intentional for a number of reasons, many of which has already been mentioned. One reason that has been overlooked by many, though, is that Sanofi was fully aware that EVERY SINGLE COMPETING PHARMA desperately wants Afrezza to fail.
I now think that Sanofi has been laying low, but working feverishly behind the scenes and when they provide the launch we've been expecting with full DTC advertising, they plan to crush any naysayers. Jeffries' Cheepak is correct that 3rd party payers will move Afrezza to Tier 2 after the initial 6-month period. I've also studied up on whether the FDA can prevent Sanofi's use of anecdotal evidence and the answer is a resounding NO. However, it would not surprise me (but would many) to learn that Sanofi has been conducting a trial among initial adopters, all with use of CGM data recordings, to either publish or to present to the FDA to amend the label... OR BOTH! Many believe the FDA came out of the trials looking like fools. Sanofi may present them with an opportunity to make amends.
The logic of my thinking is simple: I cannot see ANY WAY WHATSOEVER for the scripts to be this low unless it's intentional. Sanofi is permitting sales to PWD's who actively request Afrezza from their physicians. They are continuing with the training arm of their strategy.
But I am confident that when it comes to Afrezza, three things are going to occur with the DTC launch:
* it will be massive * it will stun investors * it will send competing BPs reeling
Wishful thinking? We'll see.
|
|