Drug Rep Toys

Roche viewmaster

2009-06-06T08:48:00.003-05:00

This vintage drug rep toy is courtesy Dr. Jason Lau in Canada. Apparently the pictures seen through the viewmaster are 3D renditions of kidney damage. Though I'm uncertain which drug they were advertising with this, Roche does make Naprosyn, which will certainly damage your kidneys if taken inappropriately.

Lexiva pill container

2009-06-06T08:30:00.002-05:00

This is less of a toy, and more of an example how complicated HIV drug regimens can be. Certainly there's an advertisement here, but also proof that despite the popular impression, someone at Big Pharma cares about the people taking these meds.

Crixivan White-out

2009-06-06T08:21:00.006-05:00

From reader Enid Vázquez comes this Crixivan white out. Somehow advertising the ability to erase mistakes along with an anti-HIV drug seems dangerous ground.

Viagra light switch

2009-01-05T21:47:00.006-05:00

No comment really needed, and in fact, I'm sure my mother wouldn't approve if there were any. Hi mom!

UPDATE: I received this pic from a reader, and I am not certain it was ever used by Pfizer. I have heard from the designer of the item, Einav Jacubovich, and he has asked for attribution. Clever idea at least, but possibly not a real drug rep toy.

UPDATE 2: I have confirmed this was never used as a pharmaceutical advertisement. Clever idea though.

Ser-Ap-Es pen knife

2009-01-05T21:30:00.005-05:00

Here's a drug I'm positive I've never seen prescribed. From an alert reader comes this vintage shot of a penknife advertising an old antihypertensive. There are three component medications in this, one of which is (and I swear I'm not making this up) an extract of Rauwolfia serpentina or "Indian snakeroot." Add that to willow bark and cinchona alkaloids in the list of natural products used in modern medicine.

Welcome

2008-12-30T23:54:00.006-05:00

I am flattered to have been mentioned in the New York Times, and welcome to all visitors finding this page that way.

I've gotten quite a few emails regarding the site, and to answer the most common question, I haven't updated it in a while because I haven't had time, as I am a medical resident. However, thanks to many kind readers, I now have pictures of many, many new drug rep toys and I'll be posting these as I get the chance. In addition, I have a few unphotographed items which I'll add soon.

I briefly allowed comments here, but too many people either didn't get the joke or were using the comments for making statements of their own. I prefer to let the pictures and my commentary stand on their own. Feel free to let me know if you disagree.

Thanks for stopping by.

Vintage Calendar

2008-05-26T10:12:00.004-05:00

Courtesy of an alert reader comes this drug rep toy from the era of Nixon and Evita, ABBA and the Ramones. Apparently this has been going on for quite some time.

Humira tool holder

2008-05-17T11:10:00.002-05:00

This one's actually decently useful for someone suffering from the disease it treats. Mad props to Abbott.

Lovenox scissors

2008-05-17T11:06:00.003-05:00

I'm not sure of the wisdom behind advertising an anti-coagulant with a sharp object, but then, there you are.

Uroxatral Stapler

2008-02-24T21:20:00.003-05:00

I'm really not sure about the connection between staples and BPH, but the stapler works quite well.

GlaxoSmithKline Stress ball

2008-01-11T21:46:00.000-05:00

From the people who brought you both Avandia and the Avandia stress ball comes, you guessed it, another stress ball. I think further commentary here would be superfluous.

Avelox First Aid Kit

2008-01-06T19:19:00.000-05:00

A small water-resistant first aid kit from the nice people at Bayer. Unfortunately, the only things that came inside were four small Band-Aids. No Avelox, but more to the point, if you are going someplace that you need a water-resistant first aid kit, you're probably going to need more than a Band-Aid if you get hurt.

Protonix Cup

2007-12-30T23:42:00.000-05:00

This thing is pretty cheap. It reminds me of the flimsy things beer is served in at ballparks. Certainly not in the same league as the Nexium flash drive.

Nexium Flash Drive

2007-12-23T11:15:00.000-05:00

The closed door decision makers at my hospital recently took Protonix off the inpatient formulary and replaced it with Nexium. The cynic in me has to wonder if these nifty little flash drives had anything to do with that.

Coumadin pill container

2007-12-18T11:08:00.001-05:00

This threw me off. Sure, a pill container is a great little advertisement, and in the quantities this rep gave them away, they are certainly not intended for physician's private use, but what floored me about this was the drug. I had never met a Coumadin rep before. Since they are basically without competition, I don't see the point. It may be rat poison, but it's the only rat poison we've got, you know?

Roche calculator

2007-12-18T10:55:00.001-05:00

After complaining bitterly that the drug rep calculators all seemed to be battery powered, what should come along but this lovely solar-powered, modestly-sized implement. I flatter myself that I had something to do with this. But it's probably just serendipity.

Cozaar laser pointer/slide advancer.

2007-12-18T10:49:00.000-05:00

I'm thinking this is a developing theme with the reps. First Abbott, then the pleasant people from Merck hawking Cozaar have brought these things.

Abbott laser pointer/slide advancer

2007-12-18T10:47:00.001-05:00

This is a really cool toy. It's a combination laser pointer and slide advancer. Works quite well, and comes with extra batteries.

Cymbalta pen

2007-11-11T23:59:00.000-05:00

This is a great pen. Heavy, smooth, maybe even a bit calming to hold. Just like the drug.

Merrem Sharpie

2007-11-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

This is a neat little permanent marker, with a ring on one end to connect it to a lanyard. I'm not planning on actually doing that, but it definitely appeals to the gadget lover in me.

Hyzaar Reflex Hammer

2007-10-28T16:18:00.001-05:00

Not the greatest reflex hammer. Yes, it's the classic shape, but it weighs about half as much as a regular hammer, and a person would have to be severely hyperreflexic to demonstrate any response with this thing.

Hyzaar Flash drive

2007-10-28T16:15:00.000-05:00

From the nice folks at Merck, a neat little flash drive. I also like the fact that, saving on paper, this thing came with the promotional literature loaded on it.

Zetia Calculator

2007-10-21T19:22:00.000-05:00

Apparently this a developing theme. Maybe the reps around here watch each other and then duplicate each other's gifts, in the odd competition that they have running. Now certainly Zetia and Levaquin are not in direct competition, but I'm much more likely to use this Zetia calculator than the Levaquin one, for a couple of reasons. One, the sides of this are rubberized, and less likely to fall out of my pocket, and two, this has an action figure component to it. Flipping a little switch on the bottom right of the Zetia logo causes a cover to swing open and behind the calculator, producing a little stand. Very cool. My continuing complaint is that there is no "off" button, and that it is not a solar calculator. But hey, if it dies, I can scavenge another battery or pass it off to someone who will.

Zetia gift bag

2007-10-21T19:07:00.000-05:00

This is a little impressive. A nice plastic bag, full of drug rep toys: pens, calendars, articles, and invitations to dinner. And the bag isn't bad either, waterproof too. How fun.

Nexium six-pack tote

2007-10-18T17:50:00.000-05:00

The purple pill people pulled out all the stops on this one. (And yes, that's quite enough consonance for one day.) What makes me laugh about this particular item is that the rep encouraged me to take it saying "a six-pack fits perfectly in there." This is funny because it is probable that alcohol can exacerbate dyspepsia and reflux, which is of course what Nexium treats. Drumming up business on both ends of the spectrum there. The bag itself is nice enough, but flimsy, and let's face it, a six-pack belongs in a cooler.

Nexium hand sanitizer

2007-10-18T17:49:00.000-05:00

Another bottle of hand sanitizer. This one attempts to set itself apart by smell, with a faint grape-scent wafting through the alcohol fumes. Not earth-shattering, but useful around the hospital, and extra points added for having a smell that doesn't linger like that ghastly Merrem stuff.

Vytorin pocket protector

2007-10-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

Now I've seen everything. As if doctors didn't have enough problems being seen as nerds, now the folks at Merck have decided that the quintessential badge of one is a great way to advertise their product. No thanks.

Levaquin calculator

2007-10-01T23:31:00.000-05:00

Most of September was slow for drug rep visits here, but the last week made up for the drought. Here's the latest offerings.

Definitely a useful toy, as I use a calculator all the time in ICU medicine. It is battery powered, which is a bit of a detraction, but even worse, there is no "off" button. That makes it tough to think about relying on it. Still, a good idea.

Merrem pen

2007-10-01T23:27:00.000-05:00

Merrem definitely has the best toys all around, and this is no exception. This pen is soft, rubberized material over the entire body, making it comfortable to hold, it is heavy, making it easier to control, and the ink isn't bad at all. My only complaint is that it is impossible to hide the logo, as that pocket clip makes it into a tiny billboard. Which is the point, I guess.

Cozaar calipers

2007-10-01T23:24:00.001-05:00

Another set of calipers. This one places above the Diovan atrocity in compactness, but still below the Coreg or Zetia beauties.

Tekturna keychain

2007-10-01T23:21:00.000-05:00

I think this wins the "absolutely least useful" award for drug rep toys. It's lightweight, flimsy even, and adds nothing to a key chain but an advertisement. It isn't a bottle opener, magnifying glass, or penlight. It doesn't do anything. No idea what the rep wanted me to do with this.

Merrem Maglite #2

2007-10-01T23:16:00.000-05:00

Another Merrem flashlight. This time in red. I actually asked the rep how much they were allowed to spend per gift, and she told me it's a max of $100. That still seems pretty high to me.

Avandia and Avandamet Stress Balls

2007-08-30T22:26:00.001-05:00

It may not be clear from the pictures, but these are those plastic coated NERF-like objects sold as stress relievers. That shiny plastic doesn't really photograph well. Anyway, I don't know what this latest set of offerings means, but evidently GlaxoSmithKline wants me to associate stress with Avandia. Or maybe it is stress relief. On second thought, maybe these are really intended for the GSK execs now dealing with the fallout of the FDA panel on this drug. But the toys are kinda fun, and as a bonus, now I might have an idea what my patients mean when they refer to their pills by color and shape.

Starlix sharpie

2007-08-19T22:00:00.000-05:00

Another clickable Sharpie. Hard to argue with a classic.

Tygacil pen

2007-08-11T22:53:00.000-05:00

As my team was discussing the best possible treatment for a patient's infection the other day, our hospital pharmacist piped up with "the Tiger can do it." What surprised me more than her using that name was the fact that everyone knew what she was talking about. Including me. Score another for Wyeth.

VFend pen

2007-08-04T12:46:00.000-05:00

Finally, someone at Pfizer figured out that ugly is not the new cool, and that the pre-teen female demographic that inexplicably keeps Troll dolls popular is not prescribing medicines. This VFend pen is far, far better than the previous iteration. In fact, I actually use this now, and I'm not even a Broncos fan.

Boniva pen

2007-07-30T20:58:00.001-05:00

Another mildly hideous pen, with that extra irritating foam grip to complete the effect. Boniva is a new medicine for osteoporosis, so maybe they are targeting the grandmother-aged demographic with this color/foam combo, but it certainly isn't going to be used as a bill board by me.

Namenda pen

2007-07-30T19:45:00.000-05:00

Another one from Namenda, and pretty functional. I'm not a fan of pens with half the body used as a clicker mechanism though, because they have a tendency to open accidentally, leaving black streaks on my nice white coat.

ReoPro pen

2007-07-30T19:38:00.000-05:00

This is front runner for the "tacky yet functional award." Seriously, wearing this much glitter hasn't been popular since the 80s. This is the kind of pen Cyndi Lauper would use to write her lyrics with, assuming she wrote any of them. Not a big fan of the color scheme. The pen itself though, is a run-of-the-mill Bic, with no cool features, but no aggravating ones either.

Maxipime kit

2007-07-22T15:22:00.000-05:00

Another one I've never seen before. But it's got crayons, stickers and band-aids, which combination just oozes the bright cheer of a pediatrician's office. Very fun, though I admit I won't be getting much use out of crayons in my day-to-day practice.

Norvasc pen

2007-07-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

As cheap pens go, this one is amazing. I love the feel, and the slim body doesn't take up too much space. Nothing special, writing wise, but it doesn't skip. I'm currently using it a lot.

Integrilin pen

2007-07-22T15:16:00.000-05:00

This is an ok toy. It writes well, but like quite a few of the pens I've reviewed recently, it feels cheap and flimsy. Still, not bad, and certainly better than the Tekturna pen.

Janumet clipboard

2007-07-15T10:00:00.001-05:00

Judging from the reps around here, Merck is pretty excited about Januvia and its sister combination drug, Janumet. A few weeks ago we had the Post-it note pen, and here's the latest I've seen, a clipboard. My complaint about this clipboard is that the writing surface is actually smaller than an 8.5x11 piece of paper, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me. Also, as with drug toy ID tags, I don't like carrying such blatant advertising around with me.

Arixtra pen

2007-07-15T09:32:00.000-05:00

This is pretty nice pen in terms of writing quality, and the triangular feel is fun. But I'm not a fan of foam grips on pens, mostly because they are bulky and keep the pen from sliding in and out of a pocket easily. This one's going to be given away.

Tekturna pen

2007-07-13T18:55:00.000-05:00

Tekturna is a novel new antihypertensive. The biochemistry is interesting on its own, but trying to assist the hype is this pen, which is pretty solid, and writes decently well. Unfortunately, the clicker assembly on top is very cheap feeling, gets stuck easily, and threatens to break if used regularly. Sorry Novartis, I'm not spreading the message with this one in my pocket.

Rozerem linen spray

2007-07-08T12:20:00.000-05:00

I guess Rozerem thinks this fits with their program because a linen spray is (I assume) intended to render the smell of your linens conducive to sleep. Now it is no secret to readers of this blog that I haven't been impressed with the scents chosen by other drug companies for their products, so on a positive note, this is the least outrageous smell yet. Mostly it smells like hairspray, with a hint of an unidentifiable floral derivative. Not a winner, but not ghastly.

Coreg CR pen

2007-07-08T12:18:00.000-05:00

This is a nice, basic pen. It writes well, and while it's nothing special, at least there are no bells and whistles interfering with function. That means I'm much more likely to use it.

Januvia Pen

2007-07-01T22:26:00.000-05:00

Merck is pulling out all the stops for this one. Their newest diabetes wonder drug, with a singular pen design I haven't seen before. There are Post-It notes right there in the handle. It isn't bad at writing either.

Back

2007-07-01T22:24:00.000-05:00

We now return to approximately weekly postings.

Rozerem facemask

2007-06-03T23:06:00.000-05:00

Rozerem has really odd commercials that I don't understand at all. Perhaps one would need to be an insomniac to ken what a talking beaver playing chess has to do with sleep. But this facemask is actually quite nice, as trinkets go, and certainly stands out from the pack of drug rep toys.

Viagra pen

2007-05-29T09:47:00.000-05:00

Another one that fails to live up to the legacy, perhaps even legend, of great Viagra pens. This pen's clip is flimsy, and the end part that holds it on is so loosely attached that clicking it closed quickly will pop the top of the pen off. Not impressed.

Short Hiatus

2007-05-23T09:23:00.000-05:00

Due to a combination of drug rep presentation scheduling with the hospital and a long-needed vacation, Drug Rep Toys will be updated infrequently for a few weeks, with regular posts returning by July 1 at the very latest (since our residency programs schedule most the visits). Fret not, gentle readers, I'm rather attached to this blog, and I won't stop posting forever.

Avandia monofilament

2007-04-23T21:30:00.000-05:00

This is a drug rep toy that not only useful, but its use pertains to the drug. Avandia is useful in some diabetes patients, and one of the most important things to check in them is their sense of fine touch. A standardized monofilament is best, and this one has its own case, into which it retracts. I like this toy a lot.

Levitra Reflex Hammer

2007-04-15T23:27:00.000-05:00

Not the greatest reflex hammer out there, for sure. Far too lightweight, in fact you might get better results with some of the pens I've reviewed here. The only good thing about it is the microfilament for light tough testing that can be extruded from the handle. But I'm sticking with the one I picked up at the med supply store.

Benicar Post-it notes

2007-04-15T23:22:00.000-05:00

Just basic post-it notes, tough to go wrong here.

Namenda hand sanitizer

2007-04-09T00:02:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is with drug reps and hand sanitizer, but all of them are taking bad advice in the fragrance department. Whoever picked this one needs to be told that "nail polish remover" is not a winning odor. Thumbs down, way down, on this toy.

Aggrenox pen

2007-04-08T18:18:00.000-05:00

This is an excellent pen. Heavy, wide bodied, with ink that doesn't skip. I'm currently using it as my primary pen.

Cardene Flash Drive

2007-04-01T17:36:00.000-05:00

This is a neat little flash drive. When plugged into a computer, that little gray oval near the keychain loop lights up red. Very distinctive. The gift of this number capped perhaps the oddest interaction I've yet had with a drug rep. She seemed genuinely surprised that I had heard of this drug, which has been available for over a decade. Perhaps she was trying to pull off flattery, but she came across as clueless or condescending, I couldn't decide which.

Lovenox pen

2007-03-25T09:43:00.000-05:00

This is a great looking, great feeling, cleverly designed pen. Unfortunately, the ink cartridges are vying with Crestor's failure for "the worst I've ever tried to use." Not impressive.

Merrem Goggles

2007-03-25T09:33:00.000-05:00

I think Merrem makes a wider variety of toys than any other drug I've seen. Here's the latest from them, a pair of goggles. I'm not likely to use them, but at least this toy has its uses in the hospital, and the logo is unobtrusive.

Merrem/Diprivan stethoscope light

2007-03-18T21:25:00.000-05:00

This drug rep toy is a great idea, but the reality is disappointing. It's a tiny light that clips onto one's stethoscope. There are two problems with the design. One, the fit is not as tight as it might be, and that rattling distracts from using a stethoscope for its intended purpose. The second is that the light is an LED, and therefore has a bluish cast to it, which makes it ok for checking the optic and occulomotor nerves, but makes looking at the back of a patient's throat difficult, as everything is a different color. Reluctantly, I'm putting this one in the "might have been good" category.

Gardasil pen

2007-03-18T21:18:00.000-05:00

Gardasil is Merck's latest wonder vaccine and lightning rod for controversy. However the pen is (without equivocation) wonderful. It is heavy and solidly constructed, with a quality ink cartridge. Definitely a quality find.

Protonix pen

2007-03-18T21:12:00.000-05:00

Apologies for missing last week's posting, though I hope to make up for the delay with a few interesting toys this week. First we have this one, a pen advertising Protonix, which has in its end a small, fluid filled chamber in which one can see tiny creatures drawn on plastic floating about. They are the same ones seen on the magazine and TV adverts for this drug, and bear no resemblance whatsoever to H. pylori. This is a pretty heavy, nice feeling pen, though I don't like pens that distract me while I'm writing, so I'm not planning on using this one.

Tygacil pen

2007-03-02T05:29:00.000-05:00

Tygacil is an antibiotic. Despite the gift of the pen, I'm not a huge fan, and I'm very cautious with it, since the last time I used it with a patient, he developed pancreatitis. Plus the pen is this garish orange monstrosity. I'm less likely only to use the V-Fend behemoth than this.

Rozerem pen

2007-03-02T05:24:00.000-05:00

This is a really nice, attractive, smoothly writing pen. It's the same kind as the Topamax pen I received earlier, with a different color scheme. I've been using them both a lot lately.

Provigil pen

2007-02-25T12:09:00.000-05:00

This ranks as the number one drug I'd like to write my own prescription for. Provigil is really for patients with narcolepsy. Also perfect, I imagine, for those long nights on call. The pen isn't bad either.

Diovan pocket clip

2007-02-19T09:10:00.000-05:00

I've already voiced my disapproval of using drug rep pocket clips, turning, as they do, one's pocket into a tiny billboard. Pens I don't mind so much, but putting one of these on seems to make a small, proud statement of support. This one is no different.

Benicar pen

2007-02-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

The second Benicar pen I've picked up. See the first one here. This one is actually quite nice. Taking it apart, I found the ink cartrige advertised free refill cartriges, which was the first time I've seen this. I guess they want to preserve the lifespan of their little advert.

A quick visit to the website which supplies the refills discovers they actually cost $3.95, for shipping and handling. No, thanks. I got the pen for free, I'm not investing in the product.

Diovan Calipers

2007-02-10T23:07:00.000-05:00

Another set of calipers in the pile this week. These actually match the other Diovan product I've picked up, the penlight I posted earlier. These calipers are a bit annoying though, in that they aren't sturdy enough to hold the space you set them to. The plastic arms are, well, plastic, and seem threatening to break at the slightest provocation. That, and they are huge. The Coreg calipers, for example, are about half the size of a normal pen. (roughly 7.5cm long) These are the size of an average highlighter. Plus they have the Novartis label in large lettering on the pocket clip. (see the second picture) I realize all this stuff is given out as advertisement, but I refuse to turn my person into a walking billboard. Not likely to use these anytime soon.

Abilify Clipboard

2007-02-10T22:30:00.000-05:00

From the nice people at Bristol-Myers-Squibb comes this clipboard. I guess the picture is supposed to be peaceful and calming. Though I like the blue, I'm not so much a fan of clipboards in general. I'll be giving this one away.

Infasurf pen

2007-02-03T20:40:00.000-05:00

I just dug this one out of a drawer, after getting it a while back from a rep in a field I'm not actually practicing in. It has something to do with pediatrics, and the pen is a bit fragile, like kids. That pink clicker top pops off really easily, and this picture is misleading in that I had to jam the thing down to get it to stay long enough to survive the photo shoot. It's in the trash now.

Gyrus pen

2007-02-03T20:36:00.000-05:00

No, it's not a Greek resturant, they make really cosmic toys for minimally invasive surgeons. My initial reaction to this pen was "wow, cheap" but upon reflection, that's probably a good thing. They're probably spending more on their actual product that way.

Merrem hand sanitizer

2007-01-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

Merrem gives out a lot of stuff. Previously I received their Mag-Lite, and now, less audacious, but probably more useful in daily life, is this spray-on hand sanitizer. The problem is, this does not smell nice as all, one of those sickly sweet, "I'm trying too hard to make you love me" smells. If I wanted that, I'd go to Bath and Body Works.

Celebrex Pen

2007-01-23T22:34:00.000-05:00

This pen is awesome. A real work of art, with faux jade grip. And it is heavy. I like that a lot. But the clicker piece is pretty cheap and I think I'm going to break it if I carry it around. I'm sticking with Vytorin, at least in writing implements.

Zocor Mouse Pad

2007-01-23T22:27:00.000-05:00

Apologies for the long hiatus. The hospital I am at this month has much stricter rules about drug reps, so the pickings have been slim, so to speak. I hope to make up for the pause at least with this amazing toy. It's a mouse pad (like anyone uses non-laser mice anymore) which doubles as a USB hub. Really cool. Good thing Zocor is a drug I use anyway.

Topamax pen

2006-12-03T14:40:00.000-05:00

Finally, a migraine medicine with a pen that doesn't give you a migraine to look at it. See Imitrex for comparison. I like this one a lot, but you know, I've got all the rest on this page to choose from, and this one hasn't made it to the top of the heap in a while.

Lovenox ID tag

2006-12-03T14:36:00.000-05:00

Pretty much everyone in the hospital needs an ID badge, and it has to displayed prominently. Pretty easy to see how the drug companies figured out that a badge holder might be prime real estate.

I use a holder I bought, because I think these kinds of things are borderline obnoxious.

Levaquin highlighter

2006-12-03T14:34:00.000-05:00

Another Levaquin trinket. This is actually quite useful, a highlighter with no cap to lose. It's in my bag now.

Benicar pen

2006-12-03T14:31:00.000-05:00

Nothing particularly stands out about this one. Interesting color scheme, but it's a lot like any other pen.

Tarascon Primary Care book

2006-11-24T18:19:00.000-05:00

This is a neat little book, mostly full of tidbits useful to the primary care practitioner. Unfortunately for the rep, I don't remember who gave this to me.

Crestor pen

2006-11-24T18:06:00.000-05:00

Crestor spends a lot of money on television ads. I guess that's why their pens are so crappy. This one skips like a bunch of third graders playing hopscotch. And lest you think that was a sampling error, I have four others exactly like it, and none of them work well. If drug reps are trying to influence prescribing choices with their gifts, this one is definitely backfiring.

Guidant ruler

2006-11-20T23:51:00.000-05:00

This is an odd ruler. It's only useful with EKG paper, and really, if you are the kind of person a Guidant rep is dealing with, chances are you don't need a ruler to count out a heart rate. That's cheating.
Guidant, by the way, makes cardiac pacemakers.

Merrem Maglite

2006-11-20T23:08:00.000-05:00

This is far and away the coolest drug rep toy yet. And it has almost no use in my medical practice, since I haven't ever yet needed a flashlight in the hospital.

Vytorin pens

2006-11-19T18:37:00.000-05:00

Two more Vytorin pens. These are great, and the top one is actually my first choice pen lately. Comfortable to hold, good weight.

Ranexa pen

2006-11-19T18:34:00.000-05:00

This one is a new anti-anginal drug, and the pen is pretty cool too. Like the drug though, it's only about third-line in my choice of implements.

Advair pen

2006-11-19T18:32:00.000-05:00

Sun microsystems pen

2006-11-11T13:16:00.000-05:00

This pretty much solidifies my credentials as a nerd, but I like this pen because it's a non-medical rep pen. Sun microsystems makes computers. I have no idea where I got this thing, but I've had it a long time. I think it's the only pen on this site I've bothered replacing the ink for.

Zyvox pen

2006-11-11T13:14:00.000-05:00

Zyvox is a super antibiotic. It's ~~an IV only drug, which I guess explains the red color.~~ (I shouldn't just write this stuff without checking my facts. Zyvox is oral and IV. Thanks, annonymous tipster. Now I have no idea why it's red.) Not a bad pen, still.

Zetia pen

2006-11-11T13:12:00.000-05:00

Zetia is pulling out all the stops here I guess. First calipers, and now this really nice pen. It's a weird triangular shape, but it feels great, and it's part metal, so it has some nice wight to it.

Wellbutrin pen

2006-11-11T13:10:00.000-05:00

Another Wellbutrin pen. Nice enough I guess.

Valtrex pens

2006-11-11T13:06:00.000-05:00

We've had two drugs, same pen, but here's two pens, same drug. Nothing flashy, but then they aren't exactly unobtrusive either. I think I'd want that in a pen advertising our first line treatment for herpes. The bad kind.

Optiray pen

2006-11-11T13:04:00.000-05:00

Optiray is a dye used in angiography. I have no idea whether it is good or not, but the pen is nice.

Lovenox Sharpie

2006-11-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

Another salvo in the continuing war between Lovenox and Arixtra. These two medicines do very similar things (actually, the exact same thing) but there are slight differences in the side effect profiles. This means that sometimes we'll get both reps, alternating every other day, for a week straight, trying to win us over to using one or the other. This is basically a sharpie without a cap, so pretty useful. Lovenox is defintely winning the drug rep toy competition.

Imitrex pen

2006-11-11T12:56:00.000-05:00

This pen is another ironic choice. Imitrex is an anti-migraine headache medicine. And I get a headache just looking at this thing. Too bright, this early in the morning.

Advair pen

2006-11-11T12:52:00.000-05:00

Advair pen. Nothing really special.

Toprol card

2006-11-11T12:45:00.000-05:00

It's the weekend, time for yet another update to the world of Drug Rep Toys Blog©. Starting off this Saturday, we have the Toprol doctor's card. Toprol, by the way, lowers your heart rate, something that knife probably wouldn't do if it were peeking out of your doctor's pocket.

Lotrel pen

2006-11-07T23:23:00.000-05:00

VFend pen

2006-11-05T07:24:00.000-05:00

This one is just obnoxious, big, clunky, and inelegant.

Namenda placemarkers

2006-11-04T18:33:00.000-05:00

One of the more ironic drug products out there. Namenda is used in Alzheimer's disease, so they advertise with, yes, stickers to remember your place in a book.

Vytorin pen

2006-11-04T18:29:00.000-05:00

Vytorin makes great pens. There are at least two types, and it is tough to pick a favorite. This one has two tips, one black and the other red, I guess a play on the fact that Vytorin is a combination drug, with Zetia and Zocor in one pill.