Tag Archives: Commercials

Pharma-Capitol Shenanigans (Pharmaceutical-Palooza Series)

Location : Capitol Hill – An office in the Senate office Building. When: Late afternoon (after completion of a presentation by Hypochondriacs against Big Pharma Commercials).

“I don’t know about you Senator but I don’t think that went too well,” said Abe.

“Were you at the same session that I was at because I think that was a resounding success,” replied the Senator.

“Resounding? I don’t think there were more than 35 Senators there.”

“Yes , but at the beginning we had a full house.”

“But there were open seats.”

“When you get 70 senators out of a 100 to show up that’s a full house.”

“That is depressing.”

“No, that is reality.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s not depressing. There was only 15 left at the end of a thirty minute presentation.”

“Yea that was your fault.”

“How was it my fault?”

“The average age of a US Senator is 60. You lost twenty senators at the mention erectile disfunction.”

“Why did that cause them to leave?”

“It reminded them that they needed a refill.”

“So when did I lose the rest?”

“You lost a few more at the mention of temporary memory loss, hemeroids and frequent urination. It was kind of a steady trickle after that.”

“You’re putting that all on me?”

“Well, that’s probably not fair. Our normal daily attrition rate is similar and for pretty much the same reasons.”

“Again, thats depressing.”

“It could have been worse.”

“How?”

“You could have mentioned side affects related to alcoholism. That would have emptied the place.”

“So whats our next move?”

“Well, normally I would conduct follow up meetings in the next couple of days but I will probably
wait until next week.”

“Why the wait?”

“Well, you got em stirred up a bit today. The frequent urinators will be back in the morning but It will take a few days for the hemorrhoid sufferers to calm down. It could be a while for the memory loss folks if at all.”

“If at all?”

“Yea, they could just think they’re retired. It’s happened before.”

 

Other posts in this series

Pharmaceutical-Palooza

The First Step is Admitting You Don’t Have a Problem

There is No I in Anonymous

Mr. Doe Goes To Washington

There Is No I in Anonymous

Welcome back folks. We have some new members to Hypochondriacs Anonymous.
I want to welcome Deloris and Timothy Bogenfelter. I’m sorry Timothy did you have something to say.”

“Im Sorry Abe, my son wanted to use the name John Doe. You know, because of the anonymous part.”

“Oh, he’s quite smart isn’t he.”

“Well, he has his moments.”

“Deloris, Aren’t you being a bit harsh to your blind son. What was it? Soap poisoning?”

“What? Blind?”

“Well , he has the cane and he did knock over a few chairs on the way in.”

“Look again. He has his eyes closed.”

“Um, strange, I don’t understand.”

“He thinks he’s temporarily blind. I couldn’t turn off the TV in time before
the drug commercial got to the side effects.”

“I hear you, said Stuart.”

“Well, Timothy barely heard you,” added Deloris. “I had just made it to the TV when they were discussing hearing loss.”

“Sorry,” replied Stuart. “My wife has a good arm and regularly takes out the TV with a small planter.”

“That’ impressive,” added Abe.

“Yea, my wallets impressed,” replied Stuart.

“Deloris,“ said Abe. “We find that our success rate is directly tied to the attitude of the member and the goals they have. What is it that you hope to achieve here.?”

“Well, I’m not shooting for the roof. Getting Timothy to open his eyes would be a good start.”

“Thats very reasonable,” said Abe. “What about the long term? Can we go beyond the roof and shoot for the sky?”

“Well, I’ll tell you Abe, can I call you Abe?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t you?”

“Because Timothy thinks you made that name up.”

“Oh, I can assure you my name is Abe. Please continue.”

“Well, Abe I would like to get to the point where I don’t have to lock up my TV in the armoire.”

“Wow thats a pain.”

“Yes, my back would agree.”

“Abe, In the shoot for the stars category, I would like to do something about these commercials? Aren’t they regulated.”

“Well, there is some scrutiny as in all commercials but they are so full of legalese that they seem to have covered themselves. Maybe when Timothy gets older his understanding of the legalese will help him with his issues.”

“You are joking aren’t you? You don’t understand it. I don’t understand it. Nobody understands it. Do you realize how much damage he could do by the time he even gets a clue? My back will give out long before that happens.”

“I see your point. Well, we have talked with the other chapters about trying to get before congress.”

“Yea, how is that going.”

“Building momentum is slow. We have not been able to get the local chairmen to turn their backs on the media. Just when things start to pick up they see a Cialis commercial and we don’t hear from them for quite a while.”

“Maybe the problem is your chairmen are males.”

“Good point. We’ll have to work on that.”

“That’s fair. Now, can we clear out some of these chairs? Timothy has to find the bathroom.”