#1873 - Brigham Buhler
NaN minutesEpisode #1873
Brigham Buhler is the founder of Ways2Well, a functional and regenerative care clinic, and its sister company, ReviveRx: a pharmacy focusing on health, wellness, and restorative medicine.
www.ways2well.com
Episodes with Brigham Buhler
Episode Timestamps
Life as a Drug Rep and the Cialis Experience
- Discussion about entering the pharmaceutical industry as a drug rep for Eli Lilly
- Sharing experiences of launching Cialis as a competitor to Viagra
- Exploration of the lifestyle and challenges faced as a drug rep, including wining and dining clients
Physician Shortage and Influence of Insurance Companies
- Insight into the current healthcare system's impact on primary care physicians
- Discussion on the dwindling number of primary care providers and reasons for the shortage
- Analysis of how insurance companies control healthcare decisions and impact physician practices
The Influence of Big Pharma on Healthcare and the Medical Industry
- Discussion on how the pressure for quarterly earnings has shifted the focus away from patient care in industries like insurance, big pharma, and big medical
- Insights on the self-regulation practices within the pharmaceutical industry and lobbying efforts to maintain control
- Personal anecdotes about being a drug rep, establishing relationships with doctors, and the challenges faced in promoting certain products
Controversies and Practices in Pharmaceutical Sales
- Examination of the pressure faced by drug representatives to achieve sales targets and build relationships with healthcare providers
- The transition from promoting drugs like Cialis to more challenging products like Vista in the pharmaceutical industry
- Revealing the company strategies of expanding drug markets, off-label promotion, and tactics to extend patents for profitability
The Opioid Crisis and Corporate Responsibility
- Discussion on the deceptive marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies regarding opioids
- Exposure of the role of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in fueling the opioid epidemic
- Personal connection to the opioid crisis through the tragic loss of the speaker's brother
Ethical Issues in the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Examination of doctors' relationships with pharmaceutical companies and potential biases
- Exploration of the process of extending drug patents and altering drug indications without thorough safety studies
- Insight into the revolving door between regulatory agencies like the FDA and pharmaceutical corporations
Pharmaceutical Industry Ethics and Pressure on Sales Representatives
- Discussion on the pressure and unethical practices in the pharmaceutical industry
- Anecdotes about promoting drugs off-label despite restrictions
- Exploration of adverse event reporting challenges and pressures on sales representatives
COVID Vaccines and Long-term Ramifications
- Critique on the promotion and marketing strategies of COVID vaccines
- Concerns about the long-term effects of drugs with short-term studies
- Discussion on the profit-driven nature of pharmaceutical companies and the lack of sustainability
Medical System Flaws and Profit-driven Healthcare
- Discussion on FDA authorizing COVID boosters without trials for profit reasons
- Analysis of the profit-driven motives within the healthcare system
- Examination of the lack of focus on preventative medicine and reliance on treating symptoms instead of root causes
Power Dynamics of Big Insurance and Pharmacy Benefit Managers
- Insight into the control and influence of big insurance companies in healthcare decisions
- Explanation of how pharmacy benefit managers negotiate rebates leading to increased drug prices
- Impact of pharmacy benefit managers on medication costs and healthcare expenses
Issues with Opioid Prescriptions and Lack of Testing
- Discussion on how certain genetic markers can make some individuals unable to process opioids effectively for pain relief
- Concerns raised about lack of testing for genetic markers before prescribing opioids like oxys
- Insurance coverage changes affecting testing for genetic markers and its impact on opioid prescriptions
Regulatory Challenges and Safety Concerns in Medical Devices
- Explanation of the challenges faced in the medical industry due to loopholes in safety trials for medical devices
- Examples of unsafe medical devices like metal-on-metal hips and vaginal mesh causing health issues
- Discussing the need for proactive healthcare and risks associated with certain medical treatments
Challenges with the Healthcare System and Medication Coverage
- Discussion on how inflated drug prices affect insurance coverage and deductibles
- Anecdote about a patient struggling with coverage limitations and medication costs
- Highlighting the financial burdens and limitations in the healthcare system related to prescription medications
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy
- Explanation of the benefits and intricacies of regenerative medicine
- Insight into the use of mesenchymal signaling cells instead of traditional stem cells
- Clarification on the legalities and processes involved in using placental-derived tissues for therapy
Healthcare Fraud and Innovation Suppression
- Discussion on healthcare fraud related to misusing billing codes for treatments
- Exploration of how bad players in the system lead to backlash on products, impacting innovation
- Insight into stifled innovation in the medical field due to financial incentives and insurance control
Challenges in Medical Industry and Shift to Med Device Sales
- Personal experience of transitioning from pharmaceutical sales to med device sales
- Reflection on ethical dilemmas in pharmaceutical sales and pursuit of more meaningful work in Med Device industry
- Description of the complexities and opportunities in the Med Device sales sector
The High Pressure World of Sales on Commission
- Narrative of starting a job with a high commission structure and accumulating credit card debt
- Discussion on the stress and pressure of meeting quotas and sales targets
- Anecdote about a deal falling through after extensive effort, leading to zero returns
Transition to Healthcare Entrepreneurship
- Personal tragedy leading to a reevaluation of career path towards healthcare entrepreneurship
- Exploration of physicians' financial interests in healthcare practices
- Efforts to establish ethical physician-owned labs and pharmacies with a focus on compliance and patient well-being
Establishing Clean and Ethical Medical Practices
- Discussion on legalities and ethics of physician ownership in medical entities
- Challenges faced in maintaining compliance and integrity in the medical industry
- Personal experience of facing corruption and unethical practices in the medical field
Transition to Cash Model and Focus on Non-Addictive Treatments
- Shift towards a cash-based model due to unsustainable insurance practices
- Introduction of non-addictive treatments like ketamine-based pain creams
- Motivation behind the transition - personal experience with opioids and a desire for safer treatments
Corruption in Healthcare System
- Discussion on the corruption and challenges faced in the healthcare system, particularly with big insurance companies
- Exploration of the roles and shortcomings of insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare professionals
- Acknowledgment of the systemic issues within the healthcare system and the difficulty in finding solutions
Personal Health Journey and Hormonal Treatment
- Narrative of the speaker's personal health struggles and journey towards hormonal treatment
- Discussion on the impact of optimizing hormone levels on health and well-being
- Reflection on the importance of a comprehensive approach including diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes along with medical intervention
Misconceptions and Stigma Around Testosterone Hormone Therapy
- Discussion on the misconceptions and challenges surrounding testosterone hormone therapy, especially in relation to prostate cancer
- Debunking the long-standing belief that testosterone therapy exacerbates prostate cancer
- Initiatives to change the narrative and promote the safety and benefits of testosterone therapy
Exploring Peptides and Hormone Optimization
- Explanation of peptides as short chain amino acids and their role in cellular signaling
- Importance of peptide therapy for proactive health maintenance and disease prevention
- Studies showcasing the effectiveness of peptides in recovery and overall health improvement
Application of Peptides in Health and Medical Treatment
- Use of amino acids and peptides to improve cellular and tissue health
- Historical application of peptides in treating nuclear reactor leak-related health issues
- Challenges and limitations in adopting peptide-based treatments due to lack of FDA-approved clinical trials
Regenerative Medicine and Therapeutic Potential of Cellular Products
- Successful cases of using peptides in treating post-surgical complications
- Discussion on various cellular products like Wharton's jelly and their regenerative effects
- Importance of cautious optimism in promoting and using cellular treatments without FDA-backed studies
Benefits of Peptides and Regenerative Treatments
- Discussion on the effectiveness of peptides and regenerative treatments in healing injuries
- Exploration of the challenges in the medical industry regarding offering the best treatments vs. what insurance covers
- Insights into the potential future acceptance and affordability of regenerative treatments
Focus on Regenerative and Preventative Care at Ways2Well
- Emphasis on predictive tools to maintain health and prevent diseases
- Discussion on personalized interventions to achieve longevity and well-being
- Highlighting the limitations of insurance coverage and the need for a cash pay model for advanced healthcare