office spouse

SPOUSE UP YOUR LIFE!

Need a spouse equivalent at office? Just go ahead and get one! A recent survey suggests that 69 per cent of people admit to having an office spouse to help them deal with work-related problems...

    How would you like it if you had a spouse who would be an eternal support, a punching bag, your agony aunt and your colleague all in one? All this without actually being married. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Fortunately we’re in the 21st century where you could do just about anything and still not look weird. Everyone has a boss who could be a colossal pain in the derriere. In addition to that, we have frustrations at work as well. Interestingly, the concept of ‘office spouse’ seems to be catching up.
    The deal is simple. You and your partner sign the nuptial agreements in the office premises and promise to love each other in sickness or health. Meaning, in the occurrence of a haranguing boss or a cocky colleague, your office spouse will provide you support, be loyal, honest and share a degree of closeness similar to that of a married couple. In a survey that was carried out earlier this year, 69 per cent admitted that they have an office husband or a office wife. Note that you are ‘not’ romantically involved with the person in question here.
    The term office spouse is unmistakably an American term which, like many other things, have been aped by us. It is a phrase coined to describe the new relationship phenomenon that developed as Americans work longer, harder, and in closer proximity with colleagues of the opposite sex. Looks like we’re doing it too! The interesting bit in having a ‘relationship’ in office is that age does not matter. She/he might be 50, 60 or 70 but all that is trivial because your relationship exists only in office.
    Sonali Jain, an IT professional laughs at the thought of an office spouse. “This is downright hilarious but it makes sense to have someone at work who you could share your troubles with,” says Sonali. She hasn’t had an office husband till now but is open to experimentation. “This is interesting. And, I think I will have a go at it just to see what this is all about,” she adds.
    On the other hand, Arjun Nair, a copy writer, confesses about his office spouse. “She is an absolute doll. Every time my boss is breathing down my neck, yelling to get the copy done, she comes and stands beside me. It’s understood that she is there just so that I have someone to unleash my verbal diarrhoea on,” grins Arjun. He also goes onto add that having an office spouse does not mean that there is romance involved. “I have a girlfriend outside work who is a source of great support. Still, you need someone who knows the working of the company and the frustrations of working for some people who both of you mutually consider as idiots,” says Arjun.
    However, non-believers exist too. Vishal Ghosh thinks the concept is extremely misleading and could lead to complications. “It can get really dicey if you start sharing everything with someone at work. Especially when you’re engaged/married or you’re even seeing someone,” he says. Vishal also mentions a possibility of jealousy where the ‘real’ spouse is concerned.
    True that, but if you’re an adult and can handle your office spouse and the relationship, then we can assure you that this is a match made in heaven!

Concept of ‘office spouse’ seems to be catching up now

lipitor and pharma companies plunder

The world’s largest drug manufacturer Pfizer is fighting back aggressively to protect its turf and to hang on to blockbuster Lipitor revenues as long as possible.
    Pfizer has devised an aggressive strategy to make up for the loss in sales with the top-selling drug Lipitor losing patent protection on November 30. The company has said that it will offer Lipitor at or even below the cost of a generic. Lipitor sales in the US are nearly $8 billion, and around one-sixth of the company’s revenue comes from the world’s top selling drug.
    “Our strategy during the 180-day period is to help patients who want to stay on Lipitor have access to the brand after loss of exclusivity on November 30. Our programs, which are designed to offer Lipitor at or below generic cost during the 180-day period, will not increase costs for the significant number of payers participating in our programs,” a Pfizer executive said. Normally once the patent on a drug expires, generic competition grabs nearly all the market share within a year, while the innovator who owned the brand, shifts its focus to newer medicines. Now with very few blockbuster drugs expected in the market and a dry-up in the pipeline, Big Pharma is fighting hard to preserve whatever market share it can from its brand, even after the patent expires.
    Earlier Pfizer not only cut a deal with Watson Pharmaceuticals to launch an `authorised generic’, it has in an unprecedented move, tied up with pharmacies and health insurers to provide the drug under a heavily rebated price. Analysts say that the company may be able to retain around 30% of the market during the first six months, even after losing exclusive rights over the drug. The only other rival in the market will be Ranbaxy.
    Pfizer has struck deals with Diplomat Speciality Pharmacy, and prescription benefit managers to supply Lipitor at $4 per month, and also the drug will be mailed to the patient’s doorstep. Experts say Pfizer is trying to block generic competition through certain deals.
    Once the market exclusivity period of 180-days ends and generic copies flood the market, the price of the drug erodes by 90%. At least five to six manufacturers including Mylan, Teva and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories are expected to enter the market with Lipitor copies after Ranbaxy’s exclusivity expires.