A
pharmaceutical company
, or
drug company
, is a commercial business whose focus is to research, develop, market and/or distribute drugs, mostly in the context of healthcare. They can deal in generic and/or brand medications. They are subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding the patenting, testing and marketing of drugs.
wizard
asked:
"I want to consider a job in this industry. I've been in insurance sales for about 5 yrs now and need a change. Can you tell me how you like your pharmaceutical sales job? Pros vs. Cons. I have a bachelors of science degree, plus the insurance sales background, but do not know much about the life of a pharmaceutical sales rep. Also, any contacts that i can send a resume to? Thanks."
Question posted courtesy of:
Mary S replied:
"I know of a few people who just applied on line with monster and hot jobs .they want you to have a four year degree and be attractive as well as have been in sales .perks are wine and dine with the gas price today they give you 500 a week or more for gas and you get to ride around all day think how many people would love to just ride around all day and develop relationsships who knows that may even get you somewhere.hey its who you know"
jannsody replied:
"I'm not personally a pharmaceutical representative but had spoken with an old friend who really enjoyed his job saying that he feels like he 'had the best of both worlds' -- being able to help others while making some money ;) I'm sure that there are quotas and stress involved and not all dr's offices may want a rep to pay a visit. As far as contacts, please try to stick with the sunday classified ads as opposed to 'offers' on a message board or chatroom as no one really knows who the person actually is :) One can look under 'pharmaceutical sales' or 'reps'. wikipedia albeit not for professional or school research may have more info regarding some major pharm companies: and can type into search. Here is a website for general info: and search 'sales representatives' or such."
ByGod'sGraceWe'reSaved
asked:
"I am trying to get into pharmaceutical sales and want to know the best way to do this. I have no direct experience in pharmaceutical sales however I do have 3 years of outside sales experience plus 15+ years of direct customer service. I have a BS in Social Science with a minor in Gerontology. I have medical terminology and had started out working on my nursing degree before changing majors. I have worked as an executive administrative assistant, accounting clerk and HR assistant up until the last three years and want a new career path. And before it is suggested that I have to be somewhat attractive, I modeled in high school and college. So with all of this said...Any suggestions or leads? Any and all help is greatly appreicated! Thanks in advance!"
Question posted courtesy of:
dgreen75503 replied:
"best bet is to know someone in the industry. see if you can ride along with a rep for a day (shows initiative). read the following book w/ regard to interviewing: "Knock 'em Dead" by Yates or Yeates. i say this because i was a nurse before i got into pharma sales - no sales experience whatsoever - and, after reading the book, THAT'S when i started getting asked back for 2nd and 3rd interviews. it takes persistence... i waited an entire year before someone took a chance on me (and me and my team blew our numbers out of the water... trip to paris... trip to rome... multiple cash awards). anyone can do this job; and one doesn't need to be attractive to do it (although, unfortunately, that's a criteria on which a lot of managers base their decision(s)). also, try monster.com. type in "sales" in the box, and look for or hi-lite pharmaceutical sales where you're given the option - you'll see what i'm talking about. many people choose to get on with a smaller company... prove themselves w/ regard to exceeding sales expectations... then jump to larger pharma companies.one last thing: if you can dispose of $200-300, try to get a professional resume writer to re-do your resume. mine added key words and that revision, along with reading the aforementioned book - helped a TON.good luck."
Homer H replied:
"You have a very impressive resume.If all of what you present is in fact true,one would think you to be an asset to any industry.Key in Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Pharmaceutical Distributors and you should be in touch with the whole pharmaceutical industry.Send resumes"
Stanley S
asked:
"I possess educational, sales and recruiting background. My interests lie in sales and medicine, so I think that pharmaceutical sales is the best fit for me."
Question posted courtesy of:
Texas, USA replied:
"I think one or all of these could help you...."
Brad
asked:
"I have been in sales for 5 years now with one year experience in Outside Sales. I have been very successfull and have a great brag book to show my success. I would like to break into the Pharmaceutical or Medical Device sales field. Any suggestions on the best way to do this? Anybody out there need a good referrall for your company? I would be great!"
Question posted courtesy of:
Sadie replied:
"My brother is a pharma sales rep, and he had just 3 years experience before signing with Lilly, and he had no contacts. You just need a stellar resume and cover letter to get you in the door and be able to get through the grueling interview process. From what I understand, it's pretty intense."
kenneth h replied:
"You need a college degree in biology, chemistry, or nursing"
The Man replied:
"You just need to be really attractive. Sales skills and training are irrelevant in Pharmaceutical sales."
dixiegurlatua03
asked:
"I will be graduating college with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, and a minor in Business Administration at the end of July. I am looking to get a pharmaceutical sales job in Alabama or Northwestern Florida (Panama City, Destin, Pensacola, etc.). I was hoping to get some tips from someone in the business, and hopefully make a contact or two. I have a good resume and cover letter-or as good as you can have fresh out of college-but would like someone to point me in the right direction. Also, I wouldn't mind suggestions for companies to apply to. Some that I have applies to already are Pfizer, AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKilne, Lilly, and Allergan.And for those of you who would like to tell me I shouldn't work in pharmaceutical sales.....that isn't the question I asked, is it? :)"
Question posted courtesy of:
phuturboy replied:
"Don't work for those evil multinational F**KS! You'll be persuading medical doctors to prescribe medications to the public that they do not need. Some of their tactics involve threatening the doctors making them believe that if they do not prescribe a certain medication, they could be sued for malpractice. You'll be paid commissions to do this, and the doctors receive bonuses for each script filled. And people ask why our health-care system has its problems? I personally believe medicine is not a place for sales commissions and bonuses."
NC Mom replied:
"I have worked for several large CROs as a project manager in business development and clinical researcher (have been out of the industry for 3 years to spend more time with my kids---I was traveling up to 85% as a researcher and 40% as a project manager). I have a friend who presently works for AstraZeneca as a senior project manager and she is very impressed with this family-oriented company. Glaxo is a GREAT company; I have heard this from former employees. I have used several top recruiters but for some reason they continuously solicit me for jobs via email but never return my emails or phone calls! I think for this reason they should be put on straight commission! I have gotten the best results on my own---going to the company websites to apply for jobs. I have gotten two great jobs this way. Try PPD (www.ppdi.com). I have worked for them on a contract basis and they are a great company. I think that Glaxo and AZ would be fantastic also. Good luck to you."
lovin_2beme replied:
"I work from home representing a Registered Pharmaceutical Company.If you want details, I can help you there. I have been doing it for 4 years and with 4 kids, It is great!"
nickjones65 replied:
"Hi:I am a rep (for almost 15 years) with a large pharmaceutical company. I get asked this question almost daily and decided to make a (free) website to help people start their search. It's worked out well since the industry has had layoffs recently and many of my friends have been able to use the site to find leads and links. Check it out and see if it's helpful. There's links to about 60 companies, recruiters, search sites, etc."
shabna j replied:
"hi check this link its good."
One of doctors' sources of new-drug information is also the most biased: the gift-laden pharmaceutical salespeople who come to doctors' offices bearing free samples, prescribing tips and the latest study that shows how great their new drug is. They also bring food - pizza, cookies, chalupas - to help their sales pitches go down easier.
...Medical & Pharmaceutical Sales Industry, Who’s Hiring & Networking Tips.Andi is our guest blogger today and she will share her insight into her job, who’s hiring and who’s not within the medical device and pharmaceutical sales arena, trends she has observed within the healthcare sector and her networking advice.
The Melanie Blocker Stokes Mother's Act, or S. 1375, is named after a pharmaceutical sales manager who killed herself by jumping out of a window after receiving four cocktails of antidepressants, anti-anxiety and antipsychotic drugs and electroshock therapy following the birth of her child. Melanie Stokes would be extremely dishonored by this bill.
What should you do to break into medical sales, laboratory sales, clinical diagnostics sales, surgical products sales, pathology sales, imaging sales, medical device sales, pharmaceutical sales, biotech sales, or sales of cellular or molecular products?
This information applies to everyone in medical sales, laboratory sales, clinical diagnostics sales, pathology sales, imaging sales, medical device sales, medical supplies sales, pharmaceutical sales, DNA products sales, molecular products sales, cellular products sales, biotechnology products sales
