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Hernando Today

Pfizer's Financial Troubles Affecting Local Clinics

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: January 23, 2009

SPRING HILL - Whenever a top pharmaceutical company eliminates thousands of jobs, it leads to worry and caution from the medical community.

Hernando County - with its large senior population - is no exception.

Pfizer has not officially announced it, but several news outlets last weekend were reporting the company was prepared to lay off 2,400 employees.

The cuts would be made among the pharmaceutical company's sales force - reducing it by about a third.

Local physicians and clinics already have noticed a decline in the number of Pfizer salespeople in their offices. As a result, there have been fewer samples to distribute.

"We don't see the salesmen in here anymore," said Diane Dukette, an office manager at Hernando Family Practice in Spring Hill. "We're no longer giving samples to our patients ... That has made things much more difficult."

Patients could take home the samples and use the medicines before calling back for a prescription. It also was a good way to see whether patients were prone to any side effects from the medications, Dukette said.

Pfizer is the leading employer of sales associates in the drug industry - although the layoffs are almost assuredly going to affect its ranking, marketing experts have said.

The company, based out of New York, has already eliminated 15,000 jobs during the last two years. One of the reasons for the cutbacks is the growing competition from generic drugs, which are less expensive for patients. Due to the recession, more and more of them are turning to generic brands.

"Pharmaceutical companies provide a great deal of support to local communities through assistance programs for residents who cannot afford necessary medications," said Dr. Kelli Maw, a family practice physician in Brooksville. "From a public health standpoint, my concern is that pharmaceutical company cutbacks could potentially hurt those who are most in need, clients whose only access to needed medication is through these compassionate care programs."

Among the numerous drugs sold by Pfizer include Zoloft, an anti-depressant; Celebrex, an arthritis medication; Lipitor, which lowers cholesterol; and Viagra, which treats erectile dysfunction.

Bloomberg News first reported the layoff plans for Pfizer's sales force last week.

The news of Pfizer's pending cutbacks has not worried anyone at Hernando County's three hospitals.

"Pfizer's (layoffs) has in no way impacted our abilities to order or receive the pharmaceuticals we need to take care of our patients," said Brooksville Regional Hospital spokeswoman Robin Schneider.

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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