The Importance of taking care of our Reputation and Image

In 2005 (almost 20 years ago!), in Philadelphia, I had the opportunity to attend a Presentation being done by MIke Pucci (@mike pucci ), then Vice President External Advocacy, Federal Government Affairs at GSK in the United States.

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At that time, Mike explained, in great Detail and knowledge, the degradation of the reputation of the Pharmaceutical Industry, which had fallen (plummeted) from 79% Positive Perception (according to Harris Poll, the American Market Research and Analytics Company) in 1997, to 44% in 2004, behind only Tobacco and Oil Companies (30 and 32% respectively).

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But also at that time, Health Insurance Companies and Managed Care Companies/HMOs already had a reputation that was at least questionable, at the same levels as Tobacco and Tobacco and Oil Companies, according to the same Harris Poll surveys.

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I have the impression that since then, little or nothing has changed in this scenario.

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I believe that the COVID Pandemic has brought more understanding to People about the importance of the extremely high professional level of the Pharmaceutical Industry, its Seriousness, and the Relevance of Research and Development of New Products, adding real Value to People Health and Lives.

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The Pharmaceutical Industry has managed to restore its Reputation by demonstrating the Value of its Products, its Research and its Hope for the Future.

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But Health Insurance Companies and Managed Care Companies/HMOs are facing challenges, as this cartoon from a newspaper here in Brazil, shared by my dear friend Mauro Ferreira , illustrates.

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Wouldn't it be possible to think of some kind of Grassroots Campaign using different Channels, Physicians, Executive Speakers, to somehow improve this Image?

Or is it already a completely Lost Battle?

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We are what others perceive us to be. That is why it is so important to take care of our Reputation and Image, in a coherent, robust and pragmatic way.

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Let's think about it, it's worth reflecting!