How one nutty guy tapped in to the placebo power of a pretty face
If you’ve never seen the sitcom, “How I Met Your Mother,” all you need to know for today’s e-Alert is that the character Barney is an unabashed womanizer. And in this episode he nearly blows a gasket when he comes upon a dozen very attractive female pharmaceutical sales reps.
Barney explains to his friend Ted that throughout history most caregivers have been attractive women. Then one day man said, “Life is hard. I should start taking lots of prescription drugs.”
That’s why, according to Barney, “Pharma girls are today’s hottest profession.”
A few minutes later, Barney is in pharmaceutical sales rep heaven. He tells Ted he’s already made three dates, and adds, “Plus, my cholesterol is down, my restless leg syndrome is cured–I’ve never felt more alive!”
In Barney’s case, it’s probably a placebo effect brought on by long, blonde hair on a perfect size 2.
Sadly, those are frequently the requirements to be a pharma sales rep…a pretty face, a great figure and a perky outlook. But the fact that these real-life Barbie dolls are often the people swaying your doctor’s decisions on which drugs to give you, well…that’s no laughing matter.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
