Zyprexa Drug Rep

PharmedOut, a new project that educates physicians on how pharmaceutical companies influence prescribing, is previewing a timely video about Zyprexa (olanzapine), an antipsychotic drug approved by the FDA to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In this video Shahram Ahari, a former pharmaceutical company representative, tells how he sold the drug. Nearly a decade after its introduction, a drug once hailed as a breakthrough treatment is being assailed for its negative side effects. Antipsychotic drugs are not risk-free, but doctors and patients have long complained that Zyprexa causes obesity and diabetes. This week, the New York Times reported that studies on the frequency of weight gain were underreported by the manufacturer. PharmedOut is an independent physician-run project funded through the Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education grant program.