- Joined
- Mar 3, 2003
- Messages
- 1,601
- Reaction score
- 4
Hot Jobs
- Thread starter jdpharmd?
- Start date
Job description from princeton review from http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/profiles/dayInLife.asp?careerID=110
Pharmaceutical sales is a fast-paced, high-turnover business that rewards assertiveness, persistence, and knowledge. Pharmaceutical sales representatives spend most of their business time on the road, talking with pharmacists, hospital personnel, physicians, patient advocacy groups, and even retirement homes, increasing the visibility of their company?s products and the volume of their sales. ?Sell sell sell learn learn learn sell sell sell,? wrote one sales rep, who included his business card with his survey, in case we wanted to purchase any pharmaceutical supplies. Many other sales reps agreed that the best reps follow any lead, making every possible effort to sell their product. A number attend meetings where contact with purchasing professionals is rich, such as an association of pharmacists or a convention of hospital administrators. This territory-oriented business can be a hard life, particularly for those trying to maintain their family life as well. The need to sell extends to social functions and free time, and the already precious family moments can erode further to the point where many reps are forced to reevaluate their commitment to their profession. This difficult balancing act is complicated by the additional pressure of being in a commission-based occupation. For many, a significant portion of their income is riding on their ability to get the product into the hands of the consumer. So, why is this job so addictive? Perhaps because the excessive profit margins of many brand-name pharmaceutical products can mean enormous commissions. In addition, products are generally consumed fairly quickly and not stored, so old markets rarely disappear; they need regular servicing. The second most attractive job feature that the sales reps mentioned was the intellectual challenge the job imposed. Education is the norm in this field; learning about a company?s product line is like taking an advanced course in pharmacology (which many do take during their initial years in the industry). They have to be familiar with data, statistics, and issues in the health community to be able to communicate successfully with businesspeople and doctors. Although this job has some aspects that are unquestionably grueling-one sales rep said he put in 184 days on the road in 1994-many love it, and ?love? is the only term that accurately describes their zeal, dedication, and willingness to make sacrifices for their job.
Pharmaceutical sales is a fast-paced, high-turnover business that rewards assertiveness, persistence, and knowledge. Pharmaceutical sales representatives spend most of their business time on the road, talking with pharmacists, hospital personnel, physicians, patient advocacy groups, and even retirement homes, increasing the visibility of their company?s products and the volume of their sales. ?Sell sell sell learn learn learn sell sell sell,? wrote one sales rep, who included his business card with his survey, in case we wanted to purchase any pharmaceutical supplies. Many other sales reps agreed that the best reps follow any lead, making every possible effort to sell their product. A number attend meetings where contact with purchasing professionals is rich, such as an association of pharmacists or a convention of hospital administrators. This territory-oriented business can be a hard life, particularly for those trying to maintain their family life as well. The need to sell extends to social functions and free time, and the already precious family moments can erode further to the point where many reps are forced to reevaluate their commitment to their profession. This difficult balancing act is complicated by the additional pressure of being in a commission-based occupation. For many, a significant portion of their income is riding on their ability to get the product into the hands of the consumer. So, why is this job so addictive? Perhaps because the excessive profit margins of many brand-name pharmaceutical products can mean enormous commissions. In addition, products are generally consumed fairly quickly and not stored, so old markets rarely disappear; they need regular servicing. The second most attractive job feature that the sales reps mentioned was the intellectual challenge the job imposed. Education is the norm in this field; learning about a company?s product line is like taking an advanced course in pharmacology (which many do take during their initial years in the industry). They have to be familiar with data, statistics, and issues in the health community to be able to communicate successfully with businesspeople and doctors. Although this job has some aspects that are unquestionably grueling-one sales rep said he put in 184 days on the road in 1994-many love it, and ?love? is the only term that accurately describes their zeal, dedication, and willingness to make sacrifices for their job.
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2003
- Messages
- 135
- Reaction score
- 0
If you're interested in this career candle786, you DEFINITELY won't be needing a masters degree 
I have a few friends who were hired straight out of undergrad, given a new car and expense account with the pharmaceutical companies. Their job was to "educate" and promote drugs to the doctors. All schmoozing.
I knew a few pharm reps who came to our pharmacy who previously worked as pharmacists; According to these people, they now make more, but I think it really depends on the company you work for.
I've noticed that the sales reps are getting youngerand much better looking. I guess if you don't have a brain but look good, pharm sales is the way to go.
I have a few friends who were hired straight out of undergrad, given a new car and expense account with the pharmaceutical companies. Their job was to "educate" and promote drugs to the doctors. All schmoozing.
I knew a few pharm reps who came to our pharmacy who previously worked as pharmacists; According to these people, they now make more, but I think it really depends on the company you work for.
I've noticed that the sales reps are getting youngerand much better looking. I guess if you don't have a brain but look good, pharm sales is the way to go.
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2003
- Messages
- 409
- Reaction score
- 3
Yes, you must have "an appealing look" it appears to be a pharm rep. The companies seem to prefer to hire young, good looking females. Though, they better be careful or they may find themselves in the same boat that Abercrombie and Fitch are paddling.
Also, when you start to make the higher salary and gain seniority you are usually the first to meet the chopping block. One of our favorite reps at my hospital is an older fellow who does an awesome job and has been with the company the longest in his division, but he fears for his job and expects to be unemployed by year end.
I also feel that the starting salary for pharmacists seems a bit low, but maybe I am just used to California salaries. If you're in cali and not making close to 6 figures you need to find a new job.
Also, when you start to make the higher salary and gain seniority you are usually the first to meet the chopping block. One of our favorite reps at my hospital is an older fellow who does an awesome job and has been with the company the longest in his division, but he fears for his job and expects to be unemployed by year end.
I also feel that the starting salary for pharmacists seems a bit low, but maybe I am just used to California salaries. If you're in cali and not making close to 6 figures you need to find a new job.
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2003
- Messages
- 1,093
- Reaction score
- 3
If your interested in a job in industry, there are other occupations available to PharmDs including pharmacovigilance, clinical research, drug information specialists, and medical science liaison...a "step-up" from a pharm. sales rep. One of my prof's was trying to get me interested in this line of work. Here's a job description from Abbott:
The Medical Liaison - is a field-based healthcare professional who is responsible for the dissemination of clinical and technical information, implementation of educational programs and development and maintenance of thought leaders and opinion leaders for the Pharmaceutical Products Division:
* Provide information upon request for medical and clinical inquiries from healthcare professionals
* Develop and implement educational tools that increase awareness and knowledge of Abbott PPD products and associated disease states
* Build specific excellence and integrity within the health care community
Establish and maintain relationships with thought leaders and opinion leaders
* Develop contacts with key clinicians, university teaching hospitals, group purchase organizations and other medical/scientific groups
* Involvement in investigator-initiated trials or commercial products; information liaison for medical community
* Partner with researchers to generate data through abstracts and publications
Required Experience:
* Experience in a clinical setting is required
* Experience in critical review analysis, interpretation of published medical literature, excellent communications skills, and presentation capabilities are necessary
* Knowledge and experience of on-line and medical resources is critical
* The ML needs to understand the organization?s mission, strength, strategies, and be able to draw broadly on resources to analyze information and business
* The ML is accountable and responsible for dissemination of accurate and timely information
* The ML is responsible for identifying key thought leaders in their respective therapeutic areas and is expected to develop relationships with these influencers
* The ML is evaluated as performance against impact goals and competencies
* The ML needs to understand statistics, and applicability of analytical, technical data
* In this field-based position, autonomy and self-motivation are critical
* This position allows for 80% field time (travel, local or distant) with 20% administration time (expense reports, monthly reports, literature management etc.) The ML needs to be a self-starter, effectively managing time and field responsibilities/appointments
* The ML strategy involves team-oriented solutions; not only ML team integration, but also working closely with district sales teams, marketing, and medical
Educational Requirements:
Required ? Doctorate Degree (PharmD, MD, PhD )
Travel
Approximately 80% travel both local and national
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2001
- Messages
- 1,227
- Reaction score
- 0
what's pharmacovigilance? I'd love to call myself a pharmacovigilante!!!!
Ohyeah and gravy's right. I wouldn't take any job that only paid $79K. That blows.
Ohyeah and gravy's right. I wouldn't take any job that only paid $79K. That blows.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2003
- Messages
- 365
- Reaction score
- 2
Keep in mind that the $79K is relative.
I was offered a job in the middle of Nowhere (Bismarck, ND) for about that. Run that through a cost of living calculator and:
$79K in Nowhere = $96K in Minneapolis = $120-something in London, UK.
Suddenly, $79K in Nowhere isn't too bad. Plus, you can get a Puff-Daddy house on a decent chunk of land, and become King of the town.
Of course, I'd also have to give up Vikings season tickets, going anywhere after 8PM, and meeting anyone outside the cookie-cutter normal.
Pluses, minuses. You know the drill...
I was offered a job in the middle of Nowhere (Bismarck, ND) for about that. Run that through a cost of living calculator and:
$79K in Nowhere = $96K in Minneapolis = $120-something in London, UK.
Suddenly, $79K in Nowhere isn't too bad. Plus, you can get a Puff-Daddy house on a decent chunk of land, and become King of the town.
Of course, I'd also have to give up Vikings season tickets, going anywhere after 8PM, and meeting anyone outside the cookie-cutter normal.
Pluses, minuses. You know the drill...
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2001
- Messages
- 1,227
- Reaction score
- 0
that's definitely not how it works in Cali. They pay you a ton of dough to work in the sticks. Offers get sick if you're willing to work in the central valley.
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2003
- Messages
- 1,093
- Reaction score
- 3
"Pharmacovigilance" is "post-market surveillance". I've forgotten what the actual job title is, but they work in a pharmacovigilance or epidemiology department. These departments typically hire MDs, PharmDs, and epidemiologists. They review all the "adverse drug reaction" reports that come in from hospitals, clinics, etc. When things go wrong with a drug on the market they are supposed to be the division of the company that detects this and takes action. Those ADR reports are supposed to be forwarded to the FDA. When the pharmacovigelance people "drop the ball" as Wyeth did with Fen-Phen and heart valve damage, guess whose heads roll first
I think they purposely did not forward those reports and/or ignored these "red flags", but I'm not entirely sure. These folks get paid well according to one of my profs who worked for Wyeth (I'm not sure how well), but it's a high pressure kinda job.
