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Post by saxcmann on Dec 14, 2016 15:41:08 GMT -5
My question is - will filling these new positions be on top of the existing contract sales force already in market? Will there now be over 100 sales reps slinging full-time afrezza across the country? Yes! |
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Post by saxcmann on Dec 12, 2016 9:12:02 GMT -5
I'm not sure when or if we'll see scripts pick up. We've been circling around between 250-300 for several weeks now and there isn't anything on the short-term horizon that leads me to believe that there's any reason for it to change. Doctors aren't writing scripts for it and while some patients are getting insurance coverage, some are still left paying out of pocket for Afrezza, which can be quite costly. See some of the Tudiabetes forums and you'll see. I understand that one of Mike's selling points is that the cost for Afrezza hasn't gone up in two years, but if it was priced exorbitantly high to begin with, that isn't much of a selling point. Insurance coverage revolves around cost, and cost alone. If they lowered the price, more insurance companies would cover it, as it would improve their bottom line. The bottom line is all they care about. You can't expect to charge a premium for Afrezza with so little demand. It's a failed strategy that has demonstrated its flaws since SNY was marketing the drug. Create adoption (and demand) by making it readily available (cheaper) and THEN raise the price. Doing it backwards will kill your sales, as we've seen over the past two years. But that doesn't even begin to address the major issues of doctor awareness or willingness to prescribe, which is something altogether. Barring a massive improvement in the label or massive adoption by pediatricians for the use in children, I don't think Afrezza sales pick up. The ship has run its course and there simply is no demand, no awareness, and no willingness on the part of doctors to prescribe. Doing what they're doing now will result in the same weekly numbers that we've seen for month after month. After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results... Knight, things are changing soon. More reps and new marketing strategy beginning 2017. I might be crazy tho?! 😉 |
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 19, 2016 17:43:12 GMT -5
I count closer to 9 months? Plenty of catalyst besides scripts in 9 months to move the stock price and continue runway for afrezza. Maybe comeback in August for start of bk discussion again.
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 16, 2016 11:27:56 GMT -5
Endos will need convincing publications in the NEJM or AMA before they'll get on board with Afrezza, and many still won't be convinced about Afrezza's real-world results until safety data trials. Perhaps even some of the PCPs and 3rd party payers will want this empirical evidence from a reputable source.
Many shareholders have been saying it for two years: Afrezza demand will prove to be patient-driven. MannKind needs to implement DTC marketing in order to gain traction and then sustain robust sales growth. The majority of PWD probably don't even use social media. Unless they are told about Afrezza, they won't even know it exists as a treatment option. If their endo/PCP won't tell them about Afrezza, then TV advertising is the only way to reach this population.
 You nailed it mnholdem! This is exactly what's needed! 10 thumbs up! |
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 15, 2016 14:56:53 GMT -5
I'm not sure what kind of deal you mean. I don't think Mannkind get's another exclusive marketing partner in the US and they have been pretty clear that they are going at it solo in the diabetes space domestically. For other regions, a partner is possible but that won't happen until Afrezza sales grow here first. I do think we may see a co-marketing partnership with Insulet/Dexcom AP in 2017. That's pending newest clinical trial data and approval by the FDA. I would say...Yep, yep and double yep for last paragraph. |
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 15, 2016 13:58:00 GMT -5
Mnkd should start inviting PCPs and endo nurses to afrezza speaking presentations. Not just prescribing endos! It will get the word out much faster and target more type 2s. Head endo nurses will provide info next day in office. Currently mnkd does not do this! Okay, I'm done ranting! Go mnkd!
PS...I need to start selling Afrezza. Can anyone get Mike in front of me? 😊
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 12, 2016 13:21:35 GMT -5
I know I am ad nauseam forgive me. I wanted to look more closely at what I want to see price doing. What I what, is like an over extended rubber band, that someone lets go I want to see snap back. So let's look at the 1 year runway, fabulous product that works well, a now 9 month time frame for an ultra rapid label that has already been submitted on a 10 month time frame. Additionally the pediatric trials with cgm and the television advertisement.
Let's look at the norm, the mean of MNKD
When I read this chart, it verifies price is going back to 3.50 pretty fast, back to some kind of mean. Look at the macd on this MONTHLY chart. sellers are gone. What do you think? Pep
I think we rise pretty fast if scripts start going up. Ultra label will help but 3.50 won't happen until bigger news comes. Dexcom partnership (still in play) will get us closer. Maybe epi deal. Basically we need another "event" to reach 3.50, imo. Hope I'm wrong. Go mnkd! |
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 11, 2016 16:14:55 GMT -5
Feel so much more relieved after the cc.
One question for this board is: is this typical to take 12m for a label change?
One additional question is: what is the chance to get a regional partner for China market before the label change? I thought it was 6 months? Good question. Maybe needed for label upgrade that really differentiates afrezza from other rapid acting insulins? |
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 7, 2016 11:40:52 GMT -5
And they're hiring more sales reps I hear...
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Post by saxcmann on Nov 6, 2016 10:08:30 GMT -5
"Inhale your freedom"
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Post by saxcmann on Oct 29, 2016 11:39:35 GMT -5
According to my endo endocrinology is not a popular option with doctors because you don't have high cost procedures to perform so you are never going to make the big bucks. Consequently there is a shortage and these huge lead times. The operative phrase in the reply is "or endo suggest trying it". There was an earlier post that talked about and an endo pulling the trigger and switching their patients to Afrezza - it doesn't work like that, suggest is about as strong as it gets. People are very touchy about their insulin, I hated getting switched from Novolog to Humalog by my insurance and they are extremely close, so getting people to move from injected to inhaled will be a delicate operation. The endo is going to have to invest time in selling Afrezza to his patients. I also wonder if the first failed launch along with other drug reps could be hurting adoption. Let me explain, the last launch saw Doctors not writing scripts because they believed MNKD/Afrezza was done. Now we have 2.0, but what is the growing concern we all have, not enough cash. So if I'm a competing drug rep, and I notice the doctor is or is thinking about Afrezza what do I say. I would say just in case you weren't aware they are pretty cash strapped and not sure how much longer it will be available. Don't believe me check it out yourself. So then the doctor either checks it out himself or becomes hesitant to write the prescription for fear of it going away. Just a thought! Yes, there is some truth to this. We'll need clarity soon how they expect to proceed with no cash. |
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Post by saxcmann on Oct 29, 2016 7:22:59 GMT -5
Several people have posted about four month waiting times for endo appointments and until yesterday I took those claims with the proverbial grain of salt. I'm not a diabetic, but I may have osteoporosis, so my primary care doc referred me to an endo. Yesterday I called to make an appointment and was told that the first slot available was on February 27th -- exactly four months away. The lesson I take from this is that when it comes to getting a Rx for Afrezza or any other drug from an endo, "demanding it" may or may not work, but be prepared for a l-o-n-g wait to get the chance to make that demand. Yes, so true. Also PWD usually see docs twice per year. 90% have never heard of afrezza at this point. 10% might ask "I heard about inhaled insulin from my friend, what do you think?" Endo says might have lung issues, is there a problem with your pump?" Patient say "no not really" ...end of conversation. Unless patient demands it or endo suggest trying it, its simply not gonna happen. Better label will change conversation slightly but in my opinion we need 2 things mostly...endos telling other endos about results and educating them how to dose afrezza thru presentations and we need mass DTC marketing campaign from television. If we get more cash to extend runway and to promote afrezza mnkd can still be a successful drug. |
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Post by saxcmann on Oct 27, 2016 16:46:05 GMT -5
peppy, I don't know. My guess would be that not enough docs have been educated or seen the results yet. It's a slow process. But isn't it in the best interest of their profession to keep up with break through technology. How often does New RAA come ? docs would say...show me scientific data it's "better"? Label says its not better? Does it cost less?, no. Is it covered by insurance?, restricted. hmm?...why change if it's not broken? That's what docs would say! With that said, things are changing slowly on many fronts. Insurance is much better. Label change will hopefully come soon. Docs are having dinner presentations now. Basically mnkd needs more money to continue runway and promote benefits to both docs and PWDs. |
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Post by saxcmann on Oct 27, 2016 14:53:15 GMT -5
Someone has news about VDEX? I worte them several mail and twits but no answer.... They probably can't understand your writing. 😉 |
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Post by saxcmann on Oct 26, 2016 20:50:13 GMT -5
Love it! Corruption and manipulation in WS, FDA, BP, govt and nothing is ever done besides slap on wrist. Get the "truth" out about afrezza now and ask for forgiveness later. I'm down...👍
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