Merck Reps Infuriated by Miscommunications Over New Singulair Warnings

(MoneyWatch)  Merck's handling of the FDA's order that it update warnings on its Singulair asthma drug has been less than perfect, according to commenters on CafePharma.com. The FDA has required Merck, among other asthma drugmakers, to add a message warning of suicidal thoughts on its labels.

(BNET noted yesterday that's not the only potential problem lurking in Singulair's history.)

Naturally, Merck management scheduled a conference call for drug reps who tout Singulair at 6p.m. on Friday (an hour guaranteed to please reps hoping for a stress-free weekend). Unfortunately, many reps only received the note scheduling the meeting at 7 p.m. -- one hour after the call started. From CafePharma:

I found out about a 6PM teleconference after 7PM. Gotta love management.

Other reps had difficulty navigating Merck's dial in system:

First, they give vague directions about the teleconference (you had to go on to Comm. Central to get the dial-in number). Then they start 15 min late trying to get their s$%t together. Then TC says that this is a great opportunity to show our customers how committed we are to patients. When is the last time these people were in the field? Completely out of touch. Another Monday am to dread.

Those who did dial-in on time were kept on hold, just as they had been at an earlier conference call at 8 a.m. which apparently only got started at 8.20 a.m.:

This morning the the other S teleconference scheduled for 8 AM starts after 8:20 AM. What is going on inside? Half the country is on hold listening to music. I got work to do guys. I have to move and make calls.

The Vioxx experience has apparently left some Merck reps deeply suspicious of conference calls with their management:

Make sure you record the teleconference, especially the Q & A, if there is any. That way, you can protect yourselves in case of litigation and you have a record of what you are being asked to spin, er, I meant say.

• Previously:
• FDA's Asthma Drug Warning Comes After Complaints About Testing Facility