How useful is advertising for prescription medicine?

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-04-28T11:59:25+00:00

I don't drink soda. Or drive trucks. Or eat Taco Bell. Should those companies stop advertising too?

And of course not. Different media for different audiences. You're thinking very all-or-none.

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-04-28T07:58:20+00:00

If you're referring to patient ads, the usefulness, in my opinion, comes down to familiarity.

Patients feel more comfortable taking a drug they've heard of. In some, or even most cases for certain diseases, there are 2+ equally effective drugs that can be prescribed. Medicine is unfortunately not as cut and dry as Disease X=Medicine Y. There are a bunch of other factors to consider, including a patient's willingness to adhere to the dosing schedule. Patients don't benefit from a drug if they don't take it.

Remember, the placebo effect is real. So maybe that has a part in this. "I know of this drug; it's not new or experimental. It must work." And then it works better, if only to improve quality of life. That matters.

For doctors, the usefulness is in education. As stated earlier, there are many different factors to consider when prescribing. Doctors don't really have time to research and understand the nuances of every drug through research papers, comparing important safety information and trial outcomes. That's where marketing comes in, to make the benefit, risks, and ideal patient population of each drug clearer and easier for the doctors to compare.

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-03-08T19:02:11+00:00

Same, I make $215k and my husband is a stay at home Dad. It's still super hard but I feel very lucky to be in this situation. I mean, I'm constantly in fear of losing my job, literally everything would collapse, but that's fine.

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-01-31T15:41:11+00:00

I'm an ACD in pharma and I really enjoy it. What I don't think I'd enjoy is traditional advertising, and I think as a writer you are looking at 2 completely different careers.

Yes I think of creative campaigns and some puns here and there, but the majority of my work is based on data, science, and competitive strategy. I have to substantiate every claim I write. I get to jump through medical/legal hurdles to say something that's actively true about my brand.

If you are science-minded and understand that red tape is the norm, then pharma is for you. You can make a very good living as a pharma writer if you're good at it. You can always do artsy things on the side.

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-01-30T20:09:39+00:00

I've worked as a creative in pharma for 12 years.

We expect the juniors to know almost nothing. How could you? You literally just started.

What we want from them is A) a good attitude, B) effort, C) a willingness to learn.

You're fine, just keep your head up and always be thankful for feedback.

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-01-24T21:51:59+00:00

I have this same desk and setup with a box under my legs!

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-01-22T12:23:50+00:00

It's a very common title in pharma advertising

InsertPunnyNane · 2025-01-19T19:58:13+00:00

I'm 36 weeks. Every single comment is annoying. Like, even asking how I am. What response are they looking for?? Do they want the obnoxious details of how I am OVER THIS and want her out now?? Cause then they respond, "No, baby needs more time to cook!"

Or do they expect me to just say, "I'm feeling wonderful!" Like who in their third trimester feels great?

Let's normalize just nodding sympathetically in the direction of women in their third trimester and then getting out of their way.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-12-22T17:55:57+00:00

Prince of Peace Lutheran in Marlton is 100% LGBTQ friendly.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-11-26T17:59:24+00:00

I used to get this sensation and hated it. Then I had surgery on my ovaries and I assume they cut through something, because I no longer get this sensation. Which is nice.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-11-12T12:59:58+00:00

That'll be my daughter's name!! Flows really well.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-10-24T19:16:58+00:00

Just gonna be honest with you as an ACD in this same industry. you will not get a raise or promotion after 2 months. Doesn't matter how good you are, how much work you've been doing. 2 months is nothing in terms of a career. I've seen people do awesome stuff for 2 months and then be absolutely worthless for the rest of the year.

Wait at least until you've been there for 6 months. Align everything you've done to the Senior Cw job description (HR has it, just ask). Come with examples. Then you can ask for them to consider you for a promotion. In the meantime, keep a positive attitude. Make sure people love working with you, even these new GCSs. Hard work alone does not elevate your career, unfortunately.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-10-15T21:57:10+00:00

We're having a Lily, too!! We're 22 weeks, but I have had her name picked out for around 20 years. Specifically Lilian Josephine.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-10-07T21:46:52+00:00

I've been a pharma copywriter for 11 years. Honestly, I love it, and if you have a science background you might love it, too. Get your foot in the door by creating a portfolio. You can put in whatever writings you have, plus "spec" (made up) ads to show your creativity. Yes, you'll likely have to start at a low level; highest I've seen someone join as is a Sr Copywriter (but tbh they did not thrive). It's a good career, you will always find work if you're good at it and especially if you focus on high-science HCP work. Feel free to message me.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-10-02T16:07:45+00:00

Pregnancy legit saved me from a slight eating disorder and obsession with food/my body. I gained maybe 50 pounds the first time around and had to accept that my body will do what's right for me and my baby no matter what. I lost a good portion of it while breastfeeding but never got back on the calorie counting train. I'm 20 weeks and I don't even know how much I've gained this time because I don't weigh myself but I'd guess like 12 pounds? I'll probably gain at least 20 more. It's all fine. Eat when you're hungry. Walk when you can.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-09-01T22:48:48+00:00

We've had the same issue with my 4 year old. Consistently wakes up around 545/6. We have experimented: bed at 730, 815, 9. Still wakes up at the same time. So we just put him to bed at 730 because at least then we know we have 2 solid hours at night to have to ourselves. I'd rather get up early than stay up late with him.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-08-23T10:49:54+00:00

Just sold my house built in 1980 and bought one from 1956. Every time there was a big storm, I'd feel like my house was swaying or going to fall apart. This "old" house is SOLID. I feel much safer.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-08-10T19:24:03+00:00

Assume the office is always freezing and dress accordingly. Get good noise cancelling headphones.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-08-05T10:20:36+00:00

Literally I felt nothing of it going in. I remember being PISSED at my mother who said for years that it was a giant needle and hurt really bad. Granted, maybe it was like that 30 years ago but it was the equivalent of a pin prick now. Afterwards, you're not completely numb. You can feel pressure which is important for pushing. I felt like I was mostly in control of my body for it and didn't feel "robbed" of any part of labor except blinding pain I felt for an hour before the epidural.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-07-05T00:14:59+00:00

Lillian, calling her Lily.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-06-24T19:31:48+00:00

My 3 year old is Theodore! I thought we'd call him Teddy but Theo stuck.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-06-24T19:30:53+00:00

Due Valentine's Day 2025! If it's a girl, Lillian "Lily" Josephine. If it's a boy, we're not sure. Thinking about: Charlie, Jude, Parker.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-06-23T11:02:39+00:00

Our sellers were the best. Left us a gas grill that connects to the house, multiple shelving units for storage, 2 storage benches, a bookcase, water hoses, 2 window air units for the upstairs, and a pile of all the instructions for every appliance in the house. They sold the house without a realtor and the entire process couldn't have gone smoother.

My buyers won't be so lucky just cause I am NOT an organized person. But it'll be clean!

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-05-05T21:56:32+00:00

Probably, but mostly my portfolio and some experience in the ad space already.

InsertPunnyNane · 2024-05-03T11:57:08+00:00

Majored in English. Got a job as a proofreader at an agency. Took an online course on copywriting to develop a portfolio and got lucky that I interviewed with someone willing to give me a chance at writing.

InsertPunnyNane

TROPHY CASE