|
|
|
|
|
Search #ABSTRACT#
Dey L.P. Isn't Resting on its Laurels
Napa Valley Register, March 26, 2004
Dey, in its statement, said the growing list of fraud cases may end up putting the Medicaid reimbursement system, not drug providers, on trial.
"Dey believes, as do many independent critics and government officials, that in spite of their well-intentioned purposes, these reimbursement systems are seriously flawed," the company said in a written statement. "For years, the states as well as the federal government have known -- and accepted -- that the published average wholesale price of a drug represents something more akin to a 'sticker price' than the actual price of the drug."
Employee-oriented focus
Dey provides some flexible hours and education programs, according to Raymond Joske, Dey's senior vice president of marketing and business development. A few of these benefits include brown-bag seminars on business and personal finance, as well as an in-house curriculum called "Dey University," which focuses on issues such as good manufacturing practices, management skills and sexual harassment policies, Joske said.
In addition, Engle holds "town hall" meetings every quarter, giving each employee a chance to meet with him and ask questions. Engle said one of his chief challenges is recruiting and retaining quality personnel to work in Dey's manufacturing plant, which runs around the clock.
"We really believe that people who know more about our business will be more effective in their jobs and be more inclined to stay with the company," Engle explained. "We bring them in, train them, develop them, give them feedback and allow them to provide their own feedback to us as well."
Despite efforts to remain worker-friendly, sometimes even the best companies can face difficult decisions. On Jan. 29, Dey laid off 35 full-time employees out of its local workforce of 800.
The laid-off employees worked in the company's manufacturing and quality services group, Engle said. Despite the cut in its manufacturing division, Engle said the company expanded its sales force by 25 percent nationwide in an effort to shift its focus from generics towards patented, branded pharmaceuticals.
At the end of the fourth quarter last year, Dey stopped using temporary employees in its production department. Although Engle does not foresee any additional layoffs in the near future, he said the company will trim whenever needed in order to reach its long-term competitive goals.
Over the past 10 years, Dey's charitable contributions in Napa county have exceeded $1.4 million. It has sponsored organizations such as Little League, Friends of the Napa River and the Napa Valley Symphony. Last year, Dey raised $71,000 in the American Lung Association's Walk for Asthma, a cause closely related to its line of work.
"Our philosophy is to give back the community because the community has been so gracious in giving us good things, including good people and the opportunity to thrive in a nice place like Napa," Engle added
"We make products that save people's lives," said Engle. "It is very motivating to wake up in the morning and think about life."
Copyright, Napa Valley Register, 2004
|
|
