Copaxone Dinner

[katie4242]

My husband and I went to a dinner sponsored by Teva Neuroscience last week at Maggiano's in Richmond.  They had some guy who is a personal trainer speak at the beginning and then a doctor from a local neurology practice talked.  I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know, but the food was amazing and it was a free date night.  They did mention Laquininmod (I think that is what it was called), the oral agent that Teva is coming out with.  The side effects are minimal, but I didn't think it's efficacy looked all that impressive.  I asked if they had plans to study it in conjunction with Copaxone, but they said no.  I did feel a little guilty at the end of the evening.  There were probably at least 75 people there, all eating for free.  I'm sure that Teva could have given a few months worth of Copaxone to someone who doesn't have insurance for the cost of the dinner.  

Katie

[Lulu54]

Kerri - all of the major drug companies have links on their websites to "events"  - then they all are searchable for live events in your area.  Some have more than others.  

In my area the big ones that do more than one a year are sharedsolutions (copaxone),

http://sharedsolutions.com/Living-With-MS/Events-PatientPrograms/Event-Search.aspx

Tysabri and avonex can be searched through

http://www.tysabri.com/tysbProject/tysb.portal/_baseurl/twoColLayout/SCSRepository/en_US/tysb/home/connect-with-people/ms-events-schedule.xml


Rebif's talks are listed at

http://www.rebif.com/pages/live-and-web-events/live_events

Betaseron (Bayer Health) has sponsored some great events in my area, but they don't have an events list on their website that I can find.  Here they are advertised through local support groups.


Ampyra has been active with talks and you can find their database at

http://ampyra.com/seminar


Whatever treatment you have decided on - their support program will be mailing you invitations to any events in your area as well.

I hope this helps - I wouldn't want you to go hungry! LOL

hugs, Lu

[kerrtelli]

How do you get invited?  LOL!  I could always use a free dinner.

[Lulu54]

There is no need to feel guilty - I attend a lot of these, even for drugs that I don't personally use. If they hold true to form, there is a Q&A session at the end and I always learn something from the questions.  

The good meal is just a bonus.  The companies spend a lot marketing their drugs and have deep pockets to do so.  These events are part of that marketing plan to expose as many people as possible with their drug.

@karen - I'll be anxious to hear if yyou got a new answer to the old quesiton of fatigue.
best, Lu

[Karen99]

I'll be attending a dinner tonight.  The subject: "Hot Topics in MS: Strategies to Improve Your Quality of Life and Manage Your MS"

The MS neurologists' website refers to "innovative treatment for spasticity."  I am looking forward to what he has to say on this subject.  It is a problem for so many.

Also plan to ask if he has an innovative treatment for fatigue.  Pleeeeease!

I will report back if there is something new to be heard.

The event is being held at a great seafood restaurant.  Yummy.  

The pharma's use these events as a marketing tool which pays off handsomely for them so I will be attending guilt free. But I know what you mean.  :-)