What is the state of pharma affiliate programs globally

What indications for pharma's revival?

[Webwork]

I'm not in the game so I don't really know the answer, but I can imagine the thrashing pharma took put some of you back on your heels. The news headlines made it appear that pharm affiliate programs were headed for a sure and swift death.

Is pharma dead? What's left of pharma in the US? Are you down 100% (out of the business) or something less?

Is is alive somwhere? Is it threatened there too?

I can only imagine the highs of the profits must be matched with the lows of losing the revenue stream if that is the case. If you down, but not out, how are you coping now, here, today?

If I am rehashing questions that were answered in some detail elsewheres feel free to dope slap me upside the head....after providing a couple of links to the best discussion(s) on point.

Thanks.

[mfishy]

Webwork,

Pharm is still alive and kickin' as far as affiliates go. I got out of promoting these programs due to risk tolerance but I personally know others that say that business is better than ever. Of course, this could, and very well might, end any day.

Apparently congress and the dea are going after fedex and the cc processors to stop doing business with pharm's that write scripts based solely on an online consult. As for now, there are still quite a few pharmacies that do just that - and that is where the money is to be made as it is really convenience (not price) that drives pharm sales. Of course, the minute any of these OP's (online pharmacies) get a lewtter from the dea, they will fold and leave affiliates hanging.

Also, there are Online Pharm's that are adjusting their model to better conform to the standards that the dea seems to have set for a valid doctor patient relationship. One way is that they are requiring a phone call to their primary physician or medical records along with the online consult. Some are even setting up networks of doctors to act as "porta-meds" and visit the customers house.

The reason why some OP's continue to offer scripts based on an online consult is that many feel that they are within the framework of the state laws in which they ship to. The DEA came out publicly and stated that ALL prescriptions written based solely on an online consult are invalid, but the laws are unclear on what exactly constitutes a "valid" doctor-patient relationship.

As an affiliate in the US, I would not recommend promoting OP's that sell controlled substances like diet pills. Although the laws aren't clear yet and who knows what the implications are for simply being an affiliate marketer, the direction it is going is clear - and not a good one. Of course, I'm not a lawyer and this definitely is not legal advice!