Health care reporting meets obscure Simpsons reference
In addition to my sports writing, I write about the stock market on a daily basis for Investor’s Business Daily. I also cover other business topics for IBD, including mutual funds, as well as health care issues.
I’m currently writing a story on pharmaceutical companies and the challenges/opportunities they face as they try to make inroads in foreign markets, especially emerging markets. It’s a topic that’s gained traction in various media outlets lately, from The Economist to Salon.com.
As part of my research, I’ll be interviewing Schering-Plough CEO Fred Hassan on Tuesday. Now most intrepid reporters, presented with an opportunity to interview the CEO of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, would naturally bring up questions about such topics as the spiraling costs of prescription drugs, the ills of the U.S. health care system and the ability of poor people both here and abroad to acquire medications that could save their lives.
Blah, blah, blah. What I really want to know is, would it be permissible for me to repeatedly call him “Mr. Plough”? And if he doesn’t sound annoyed the first few times, would it be good form for me to break into song?
Call Mr. Plough
That’s my name
That name again
Is Mr. Plough
That’s why they pay me the big bucks, folks.
Instead of conducting the interview in French as you sometimes do, try Spanish!
“Señor Plough no es macho, es solamente un borracho…”