Comics · The Pharma Desk

A comic about the machine Publishes whenever MLR approves it

A comic about the routines that are completely normal inside pharma and completely baffling outside it. Played straight until the absurdity is self-evident. The comic never explains the joke.

№ 005 “Reportable” The 24-hour adverse-event reporting obligation follows you to a July 4th cookout. Aunt Carol mentions her new medication, and the four minimum criteria assemble themselves. Read →

№ 004 “Non-Inferior” Throwing a party because we are statistically not worse than the competitor. Being re-inked

№ 003 “Black Box” A boxed warning grows panel by panel until it swallows the entire drug ad. Being re-inked

№ 002 “Embargoed” ASCO abstract embargo theater — the ritual of having data you cannot discuss even though everyone knows it. Being re-inked

№ 001 “Fair Balance” MLR review crushes a clean marketing headline under a growing wall of Important Safety Information. Being re-inked

№ 006 is in review. (It will publish whenever MLR approves it.)

IMPORTANT SITE INFORMATION: The Pharma Desk is the personal creative work of one PharmD and does not reflect the views of any employer, past, present, or under embargo. All products depicted are fictional — you know exactly why. Do not take strategic advice from a comic strip. If a panel resembles your workday, that is a class effect, not a coincidence. Ask your MLR reviewer if satire is right for you.