Former 'Drug Pusher' Fights Back

A settlement's side effect As pharmaceutica companies become the new go-to corporate scoundrels, it's only appropriate that Big Pharma defector and critic Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was paid out of Warner-Lambert Co.'s 2004 Neorontin settlement to make a documentary about the ways drug companies market their products and influence prescribing. Modern Healthcare - June 25, 2007 PDF Intergel Scandal: A "Dangerous Precedent" at FDA? In the wake of the Gynecare Intergel recall, many critics are questioning why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ever approved Intergel for medical use.  Could it be, as some suggest, that the FDA is playing politics to its drug-company funder? LawyersAndSettlements.com - June 24, 2007 PDF Pfizer Fine Pays For CME Documentary That's right. A small portion of the $430 million settlement the drugmaker paid for illegal marketing of Neurontin was awarded as a grant to Boston's MGH Institute for Health Professions, which turned around and hired Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau-the sales rep-turned filmaker-to produce a flick about CME for docs and nurse practitioners. Pharmalot - June 15, 2007 PDF A Sly Satire  "Side Effects" is a sly satire that takes an unrelenting poke at the pharmaceutical industry.  It's clever approach to a topic that might otherwise have been rendered somewhat dry as a documentary.  The movie focuses on pharmaceutical industry saleswoman Karly Hery, played with aplomb by Katherine Heigl, who stars in TV's "Grey's Anatomy." Many Hands - June 1, 2007 Link From the Stacks Before watching Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety, I suspected the documentary would tell me what I already knew:that the pharmaceutical industry is sleazily convincing Americans that we need a pill for every mood, every intimation of discomfort. Utne Reader - April 27, 2007 PDF Mixed reaction to firing at AstraZeneca AstraZeneca P.L.C., the pharmaceutical giant, received a mixed reaction yesterday to its firing of a Chester County sales director who had likened doctors' offices to "a big bucket of money." philly.com - April 10, 2007 PDF Dan Barreiro - Radio Interview Dan talks with Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau about the relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical reps. KFAN Sports Radio AM 1130 - March 29, 2007 Listen... Minnesota Doctors on Drug Company Drip An examination of records from Minnesota, where legislation requires drug company payments to doctors to be disclosed, reveals that between 1997 and 2005 over 5,500 medical professionals in the state were paid a total of over $57 million. PR Watch.org - March 23, 2007 PDF Doctors’ Ties to Drug Makers Are Put on Close View Side Effects director and writer Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau speaks about being a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep. Article by Gardiner Harris and Janet Roberts. New York Times - March 21, 2007 PDF Raw Film Festival To Showcase Pharma Exposes The First Annual Raw Lifestyle Film Festival will showcase films from around the world that encourage natural living, including two revealing films that explore the questionable marketing tactics of the pharmaceutical industry. Inside Film Magazine Online - March 13, 2007 PDF Wisconsin director feels some positive "Side Effects" Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau learned last month that sometimes side effects aren't always negative. Her debut film, "Side Effects," won the award for the Best of Wisconsin at the Beloit International Film Festival, held Jan.18-21. OnMilwaukee.com - February 8, 2007 PDF Drug Ads Targeting Women Called Health Hazard Women are frequent targets of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical ads, which have helped  fuel a boom in drug sales over the past decade.  Critics say their gender focus is often misleading and can pose a hazard to women's health. Women's eNews - November 14, 2006 PDF  Abundant Health Hour - Radio Interview An interview with Side Effects director and writer Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau. With Wesley Delport, MD - October 5, 2006 Listen... Medical / Holistic Communities Applaud Side Effects Based on filmmakers Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau's decade of experience working as a drug sales rep, "Side Effects" examines the pill-pushing tactics of the pharmaceutical industry's leading companies. The Light Connection - August 2006 PDF Side Effects' Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau How one woman managed to write, direct and produce her own movie ... and take Hollywood by storm. An cover story and article from Anew magazine. Anew Magazine - August 2006 Cover 1 2 3 4 5 Drug Makers Pay for Lunch as They Pitch Anyone who thinks there is no such thing as a free lunch has never visited 3003 New Hyde Park Road, a four-story medical building on Long Island, where they are delivered almost every day. New York Times - July 28, 2006 Read More... Against The Grain In the documentary "Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety" Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, former sales representative for Bristol-Myers Squibb and Johnson & Johnson, looks at the ways pharmaceutical companies push drugs to doctors, influence medical research, and put the health of all of us at risk. Excerpts from the film were aired on the KPFA-FM 90.7 show, Against the Grain. KPFA 94.1 FM - May 9, 2006 Listen... Chiropractic’s ON Filmmaker Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau is on a mission to educate the masses about the level of deception and ethical perversion that forced her to quit her job as a drug sales rep for Big Pharma and produce two movies about the truth hidden within this powerful giant. She shares what the drug companies don't want you to know on World Talk Radio’s Chiropractic’s ON show hosted by Dr. Leo Meltvedt. World Talk Radio - July 21, 2006 Listen... Interview With Dr. Ellen Kamhi "Side Effects" writer / director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau discusses the ethical concerns she has with the pharmaceutical industry on "Herbally Yours" with Dr. Ellen Kamhi. Herbally Yours - May 23, 2006 Listen... WSAU Radio Interview With Pat Snyder Wisconsin native Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau speaks about making a film locally. Her film "Side Effects" is an insider’s glimpse at the misleading practices of the pharmaceutical companies. She talks with Pat Snyder from WSAU Radio in Wausau, Wis. WSAU-AM 550 - May 22, 2006 Listen... The Robert Saviola Show Filmmaker Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau talks with Robert Saviola on WJJL-AM 1440 about how the pharmaceutical companies are more interested in the profits they make than the safety and health of Americans. Her films, "Side Effects" and "Money Talks: Profits Before Patient Safety" are full of important information about this topic. WJJL-AM 1440 - May 26, 2006 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 HeathLine Raising awareness among the general public and medical community, filmmaker Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau gives listeners a glimpse into the world of the pharmaceutical industry on the "HealthLine" radio show heard on WLVJ-AM 1040. WLVJ-AM 1040 - May 11, 2006 Listen... Networking Minute With Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau grew up in the small town of Ladysmith, Wis. She graduated with a political science degree from the University of Wisconsin, then spent a decade working for the pharmaceutical industry. Wisconsin Woman Magazine - July 2006 PDF Side Effects Being trapped in the wrong job for a decade typically has various adverse effects, ranging from mild bitterness to alcoholism. Rarely does it pave the way to becoming a successful writer, producer and director. That's unless you are Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau of course... Truly Hollywood - July 14, 2006 Link... Another WorldView Is Possible Side Effects writer, producer and director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau talks to KPFK Pacifica Radio on the "Another WorldView Is Possible show" hosted by Ian Johnston. KPFK 90.7 FM - May 12, 2006 Link... Listen... The Power Hour Interview An interview with Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau from the syndicated radio show The Power Hour with Joyce & Dave. The Power Hour - May 19, 2006 Listen... 'Side Effects' now over the counter Written and directed by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, a 1991 UW-Madison grad, the film, starring Katherine Heigl of "Grey's Anatomy," is a romantic comedy with serious undertones about values and ethics in the pharmaceutical industry. The Capital Times / Doug Moe - May 16, 2006 Read More... A Dose Of Reality Do you ever stop to think about what makes your doctor prescribe one drug over another? Is it because Pill A has fewer side effects than Pill B? Is it because Pill C is more cost efficient than Pill D? Probably not. In fact, you'd be surprised at what goes on behind the scenes of the pharmaceutical industry, but thanks to Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, you no longer have to wonder. Campus Circle / Heather Turk - July 2006 Read More... No sugar coating for ex-drug rep's film It took two existential crises for filmmaker Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau to complete her debut movie "Side Effects," a loosely autobiographical account of her 10 years as a drug company sales representative... The Record / Dunstan Prial - May 14, 2006 Read More... Executive Profiles Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau does not want to be thought of as the Michael Moore of the pharmaceutical industry, but her first film, Side Effects, which she wrote, directed and produced, does give big drug companies a sound skewering. In Business - June 2006 Read More... PDF "At 10" Interview with Mitch Teich Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau is a filmmaker from Madison. Her comedy, Side Effects and her documentary, Money Talks, are out on DVD. She speaks with Mitch Teich. WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio - May 25, 2006 Listen... Side Effects Review The pharmaceutical industry claims its mission is "to protect and prolong life." Side Effects is a romantic comedy that goes inside the industry to reveal the hypocrisy and greed behind that claim. "Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a really big season of respiratory infections," says a district manager to his pharmaceutical representatives. HomeTheaterSound.com / Charlotte Meyer - July 2006 Read More... Side Effects Fans of Katherine Heigl from "Grey's Anatomy" are wondering if the likable actress will return to the hit medical soap opera next season after her character had an emotional and professional meltdown in the season finale. In the meantime, I'm sure fans will be interested in seeing her indie flick, "Side Effects," that was heavily promoted during the show's commercial breaks in recent weeks. The Buffalo News - May 19, 2006 Read More... Also new this week When a sales rep for a big pharmaceutical company (Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl) develops a conscience, she decides to get out of the biz, but the perks of her position -- company car, watches and bonuses make it hard for her to say goodbye. Courier-Post Online - May 19, 2006 Read More... Lilly sales force stresses its service, knowledge Drug industry critic Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, of Madison, Wis., said she doesn't think Lilly's sales force reorganization will do much to change the emphasis large drug firms put on their sales efforts. She wrote the screenplay for the newly released independent film "Side Effects," which is critical of drug industry sales tactics... Indianapolis Star - May 18, 2006 Read More... From silly to substance. Movies with messages gaining ground Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau is one filmmaker with something to say. The Madison native turned her decade's experience as a representative for the pharmaceutical industry into the film "Side Effects," starring Katherine Heigl of "Grey's Anatomy." Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - May 16, 2006 Read More... The "Side Effects" of Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau In a time where pharmaceutical drug consumption is akin to picking out candy, it's unique to find a film that expresses apprehension at how easily we fill our guts with pills and how rigorously those pills are marketed to us, whether we need them or not. Side Effects, starring Katherine Heigl (of Grey's Anatomy fame) is one such film... Film Threat / Mark Bell - May 17, 2006 Read More... Milwaukee indie bands break into the film world 'The right music is a critical element to any film -- each song lays the foundation for the emotion of the scene', said Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, the Wisconsin native director of last year's controversial independent film, "Side Effects." OnMilwaukee - May 10, 2006 Read More... Side Effects DVD Karly Hert (Heigl) is a pharmaceutical rep who is sick of her job but doesn't know what to do about it. She meets a nice guy (McAfee) who helps her formulate a plan to quit, but she finds quitting isn't that easy. Video Business / Mayna Bergmann - April 10, 2006 Read More... Pill pusher recants A coming-of-age film whose main character is a drug company sales rep? I was intrigued. Karly Hert (Katherine Heigl) is conflicted. She loves the perks of the job, but feels guilty that she is forced to hide concerns about certain drugs when she makes her sales pitches. Despite her conscience, she is seduced by the huge cheques and becomes the company's new darling. The Lancet / Marilynn Larkin - March 4, 2006 Read More... The Drug Pushers As America turns its health-care system over to the market, pharmaceutical reps are wielding more and more influence - and the line between them and doctors is beginning to blur. The Atlantic Monthly / Carl Elliott MD PhD - April 2006 Link PDF Before Katherine Heigl was treating patients on Grey's Anatomy she was pushing pills in Side Effects Katherine Heigl plays Karly Hert, who has spent the last 10 years selling drugs… legally that is. She’s an alluring sales rep for the pharmaceutical industry. Karly has it all - a big salary, a company car, a closet full of sexy business suits … and a growing pit in her stomach. DVD Verdict - March 26, 2006 Read More... Side Effects Ready For May 16th Debut Los Angeles-based Hummingbird Pictures, with sales and distribution expertise provided by the Pro-Active Entertainment Group, will enter the DVD arena on May 16 with the romantic comedy/drama, Side Effects. DVD Release Report - March 8, 2006 PDF How To Fire Your Hollywood Agent, Raise Money, And Make Your Own Feature Film… In Wisconsin! Side Effects is a romantic comedy loosely based on Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau's ten years of experience as a pharmaceutical rep. The film was written, directed, financed, produced, and distributed by Kathleen....As an independent screenwriter, I was curious to learn what that journey looked like. Indieville NYC / Jordan Hunter - March 26, 2006 Read More... Big Pharma Versus Small Patient Side Effects, a critical film that goes behind the scenes of the pharmaceutical industry, raises questions about the efficacy and safety of drugs and challenges the ethical standards of Big Pharma. psychCRITIQUE / Amir Raz - February 15, 2006 PDF Pill Pushers Pharma Insiders Roast System The relationship between doctors and pharmaceutical company representatives has always been a thorny one. On the one hand, you have a physician seeking to cure patient ills; on the other, you have a salesman seeking to turn a profit. Long Island Press / Jake Whitney - February 9, 2006 Read More... Pill movie's timed release Can a feature film about Big Pharma become a cult classic? That's the game plan for Side Effects, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau's first-time effort. Crain's New York Business - January 23-29, 2006 PDF Shocking drug tales! The movie, Side Effects, is scripted on the decade-long work experience of its director, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau in the pharmaceutical industry. She spoke to Anamika Butalia about the making of the movie, its objective and success. The Times Of India - January 24, 2006 Read More... "Side Effects" targets Big Pharma's sales tactics on the big screen Now, however, a new kind of exposure is looming on the horizon of Big Pharma's future with the upcoming release of "Side Effects," an independent movie about a pharmaceutical sales rep with a conscience, written and directed by former real-life pharmaceutical sales rep Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau. News Target - September 27, 2005 Read More... The view from inside the medicine cabinet Film delivers a dose of love story, satire and commentary We wouldn't blame Holly Mosher if she never downed another pill. The Whitefish Bay native produced "Side Effects," a satirical film about the pharmaceutical industry that stars Katherine Heigl ("Grey's Anatomy") as a young sales rep struggling with her company's slippery ethics. MKE Online - December 8, 2005 Read More... University Of Wisconsin Student Radio Writer and director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was interviewed on WSUM Radio on December 6th. WSUM Radio - December 6, 2005 Listen... 180 With Dave Walsh Hear writer / director and Wisconsin native Kathleen Slattery Moschkau talk about "Side Effects" on 180 with Dave Walsh. Click on the appropriate link to listen to the audio file. Talk Radio - Madison 1670 The Pulse - December 2005 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Wisconsin Mom Ditches Pharmaceutical Sales to Become an Indie Filmmaker For ten years, Thanksgiving for Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin's Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau meant a day free from pushing prescriptions and stocking medical offices with nifty little pens, notepads and squishy stress-relievers advertising the market's newest RX drug. Back then, she gave all her thanks to the security that came with a hefty commission check. Happenings Magazine - November 2005 Word Document The Tazz and Paula Show! In Side Effects, filmmaker Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau has turned her ten years’ experience as a rep for a top drug company into a darkly funny - and enlightening - feature film starring Grey’s Anatomy’s Katherine Heigl. KKUP 91.5 FM - October 27, 2005 Read More... Ideas Network - Ben Merens Side Effects director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was interviewed by Peter Donalds (standing in for Ben Merens) on Wisconsin Public Radio. Wisconsin Public Radio - December 12, 2005 Read More... Coffee With... Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau In 1992, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was an attractive grad fresh from college when the pharmaceutical industry recruited her for a lucrative job as an industry drug rep. It was a dream come true for the 23-year-old political science major. Core Weekly / Nathan J. Comp - December 8, 2005 Read More... From Selling Pills to Selling Films - Steve Snyder This weekend marks a homecoming of sorts for both Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau and her locally written and produced "Side Effects," a sobering but sprightly romantic comedy that has caught the attention of audiences across the country. Greater Milwaukee Today - December 8, 2005 Read More... Patients may not shit for a week, but the drug industry will… Who wouldn't want Karly Hurt's job? Her company car is a BMW, she gets bonus checks written for thousands of dollars, and she attends manager meetings in Lake Geneva. Sound too good to be true? In a way, it is because Karly is a drug dealer…a legal one mind you, but a drug dealer nonetheless. Left From Hollywood / Kelly Bartley - December 7, 2005 Word Document 'Side Effects' of successful indie film - Rob Zaleski  Eight months after selling out in less than 24 hours at the Wisconsin Film Festival, the controversial indie film "Side Effects" will return to Madison on Friday, Dec. 9, when it begins a run at Westgate Art Cinemas. The Capital Times - November 30, 2005 Read More... Media Matters - Roger Greene  A radio interview with Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau from Ireland's Station of the Year Newstalk 106FM. Newstalk 106FM, Ireland - November 2005 Listen... Coast to Coast AM - Ian Punnett  Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau graduated with a degree in political science from UW-Madison. After college, Kathleen spent a decade working for the pharmaceutical industry. She began documenting both amusing and frightening incidents... Coast To Coast AM - October 15, 2005 Read More... "A chilling expose" - Stephanie Lysaght After ten years as a sales representative for the pharmaceutical industry, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau has seen more than her share of corruption... Yogi Times - September 2005 Read More... Film blows the whistle on pharma greed   After 10 years working as a sales rep for US drugs companies, Irish-American Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau has made a film blowing the whistle on sales practices... Sunday Business Post, Ireland - September 18th, 2005 Read More... The Holistic Networker reviews Side Effects  What would you do if someone gave you a lot of money to sell drugs? Legal drugs, that is, pharmaceuticals. Would you lie to make your sales quota? Would you conceal the truth? A new indie movie called Side Effects tackles these issues... Holistic Networker - August 30, 2005 Read More... 4 Stars  Are you ready for a pharmaceutical romantic comedy? You bet you are. Welcome to "Side Effects." The romance here is rich and the laughs plentiful, but this is no fluffy romantic comedy…Helping her accomplish this mission is a charming cast, most notable is Katherine Heigl as Karly whose free spirit is infectious… Film Threat Review / Eric Campos - August 21, 2005 Read More... Hollywood, Pharma and the Side Effects of bad press An onslaught of bad PR may actually help Big Pharma  Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau is interviewed by Gregg Carlstrom for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Magazine regarding her upcoming film Side Effects and how she hopes it will affect change within the industry. PharmaManufacturing.com - August 15th, 2005 Read More... Great shoes, now about this new drug Margaret McCartney speaks of the independent film Side Effects as she gives her own amusing depiction of her experience as a physician and her interactions with pharmaceutical representatives The Financial Times - August 6, 2005 Article Read More... I Was A Pharmaceutical Sales Rep The exploits of these sales reps are now gaining wider attention thanks in part to a new independent movie. Side Effects follows the ride of a young woman who finds success - and second thoughts - as a drug rep. Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau is Side Effect's writer and director. The Health Show (NPR) - August 4, 2005 Listen... Read More... Big Pharma And You We've all seen the television ads promoting drugs that promise better health and a seemingly better lifestyle. This month, pharmaceutical companies plan to limit those direct-to-consumer drug ads -- but they're not going away. Kathleen-Slattery Moschkau used to be a drug rep... National Public Radio (NPR) - July 8, 2005 Listen... Read More... Devil In The Detail - The Art Of Pushing Pills "Side Effects" is the story of a perky young political-science graduate who joins a drug company to promote medicines to physicians, but finds the hard sell too much. The Economist - June 16, 2005 Read More... Side Effects Side Effects was a lot of fun, and not at all what I was expecting. I had gotten the idea that it was a soul-searching drama. Well, there was soul-searching and there was some drama, but mostly it was pretty funny. Irving Place Film Review - April 30, 2005 Read More... What Can We Learn From Medical Whistleblowers? Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau...This former drug representative left the pharmaceutical industry after witnessing marketing practices that she found disturbing. She wrote and directed the movie Side Effects, a fictionalized account of her experiences. Public Library Of Science: Medicine - July 2005 Read More... Spin Doctored - How drug companies keep tabs on physicians "Telling your doctors how much you really know can be the kiss of death," said Slattery-Moschkau, the former drug rep whose indie film Side Effects is about her decade in the business. Slate (MSN) - May 31, 2005 Read More... Side Effects Side Effects, an entertaining indictment of the pharmaceutical industry, manages to make its point without being vicious, scathing or blindingly vindictive. Rather, it comes across as a relatively fair, often funny, eye-opening film... Core Weekly - March 31, 2005 PDF The Movie, Side Effects Side Effects Director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was interviewed regarding the film on The Deborah Ray Show on Health Talk Radio, April 20th. The interview begins approximately 14 minutes into the audio stream. Health Talk Radio - April 20, 2005 Listen... Confessions of a drug rep Think big. Think money. Think drugs. And then think of all the sly, silly, ethically impaired things that people will do to sell drugs, and you'll have a taste of Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau's film, Side Effects. The British Medical Journal - April 16, 2005 Read More... Drug firms put prettiest faces forward Americans are oversold on pharmaceuticals. Just read the headlines: Over prescribed antibiotics spawn new strains of drug-resistant bacteria. Certain anti-depressants lead to teenage suicides. Some cholesterol drugs result in liver damage. Some arthritis drugs cause strokes and heart attacks. The Denver Post - April 10, 2005 Read More... CNN American Morning Side Effects director Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau was interviewed today on CNN's American Morning with Soledad O'Brian. She spoke about the film and how she drew on her 10 years of experience as a sales rep in the pharmaceutical industry to show a side of the drugs industry that many people would have no idea existed. CNN - March 31, 2005   Wisconsin Public Radio - Interview With Joy Cardin Joy Cardin’s guest, after seven, once worked for the largest drug dealer in the nation, the pharmaceutical industry. But after facing the ethical dilemmas of her job, she quit...and made a film about it, and she'll talk about the movie, Side Effects. Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, writer, director, and producer of the film, "Side Effects". Wisconsin Public Radio - March 30, 2005 Listen... A spoonful of satire helps 'Side Effects' A few years after graduating from college in 1991, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau got a call from a recruiter asking whether she would like to work in pharmaceutical sales. USA Today - March 15, 2005 Read More... Film Exposes Pharmaceutical Secrets Hailed as a blockbuster drug, Vivexx is an antidepressant that its maker claims is so effective it will make standard bearer Prozac seem like "penny candy." ...but this is the plot of "Side Effects" a fictionalized account of the life of former drug sales representative Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau. Forbes - March 10, 2005 Read More..