big pharma

ROTARY BULLETIN

June 29, 2006

 

            At exactly 12:15 on a bright summer day, our Head Elf stood up (but nobody noticed) and rang the bell to lead us in the pledge.  Then, in a moving gesture of compassion, she called upon James Azzarito to deliver the blessing. Jim had been sulking in a corner over the loss of his authority.  The stragglers ultimately filled the third table and Kevin and Pete Santella actually made for four at the fourth.  This was bending the Sgt@Arms Steve’s mind as he has only ten fingers, but before performing he introduced his guest, Janet, of the prestigious accounting firm of Reynolds and Rowella.  Nancy had a few announcements before turning him loose.  Now etched in stone, the LOBSTERFEST will be held the weekend of September 15-16, 2006.  We need volunteers to sell tickets at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15.  Rick Kellam is taking a break from the pratfalls of Katherine Harris and will be here on Thursday the 6^th to snap images of every Rotarian who crosses the threshold of the Roger Sherman.  There is talk Nancy will grace the centerfold of the new Club roster.  Phil McClain announced that D-Day for Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships will be on the 8^th and he added a special thanks to Don McIvor for his contributions to the program.  Steve resumed his fund quest and promptly received a C note from Der Field Marshall in grateful appreciation of the outpouring of sentiment and concern over the loss of his Dad.  Secure in the knowledge that Eric had waited for him, and comforted by spending the last ten days together, Tom then defined “closure”.  In her frequent crossings with Tom, Heather chose to respect Eric’s quarters, but the day after the service attended by John and Rob, Heather and Tom returned to the house and she entered Eric’s room and spent the night on his bed. John Engel parried with a love story.  For their 15^th, Melissa procured the same model Porsche that his father had sold in 1965 to free up funds for an engagement ring for mom.  Don McIvor made a farewell address by citing his attachment to our group and his return to the ranks of gainfully employed, this time with an energy research company.  Steve was horrified when Dr. Bernardo demanded $50 for Steve’s birthday, but they quickly resolved the issue; Frank is not as big.

 

            Joe Rucci brought along Dean Maglaris, a veteran of 36 years with Pfizer in the company of Will Steere, Ed Bessey and Pete Tombros (and a whistle blower from Groton).  He held the audience in rapt attention as he cited statistics and anecdotes of the industry.  Today, drugs are discovered by the boutiques and developed by big Pharma.  The patent process is the bottom line and the reward versus risk weighs heavily as the average cost to bring a new drug to market runs some $850,000,000.  Dean is involved with Joe in a new venture to market a painkiller discovered at Tulane that outdoes morphine and does not appear to have serious side effects.  The questions inundated Dean and revealed a level of sophistication seldom seen in these parts.  It just shows what a stimulating presentation can do.

 

                                                                        Jocelyn Elders