Dr. Drug Rep?

[Anonymous]

Think about this for a minute. According to a recent article the average salary for Pharma rep is around 90k- 120k a year and DSM’s are making closer to 150k. They both get a company car, 3-4 weeks of vacation a year and an expense account while working very flexible hours.
A new nurse practitioner will earn about as much as a Drug rep and new Physicians will be in the DSM salary range. They do not get a car, have to treat more patients than they can possibly see in nine non-stop hours, take call once a month and even chart on the weekends to keep caught up.
Not surprisingly however there are very few Pharma reps with a clinical background. Sure some may have a nursing degree but they are few and far between. You are far more likely to encounter the beautiful ex-cheerleader or fast talking slick Willie type (yes our ex-president would have made an excellent drug rep) then you will the slightly nerdy and highly clinical type.
Why is this you ask? You would think the person with a highly clinical background would be ideally suited to educate physicians on Pharma products but education IS NOT the primary function of a drug rep. They are hired for the sole purpose of INFLUENCING physicians into prescribing their product over the others in its class to increase market share, PERIOD!
Truth, fair balance and un-biased comparisons are totally foreign to a drug rep. If they are not increasing market share they will be fired. It doesn’t matter if the physicians in the honest reps territory has the most up to date and truthful information on his product available. They will fire him and keep the dishonest rep who has totally skewed the view of every physician in his territory to the point that they truly have no idea of the potentially disastrous side effects his product could have on patients. The dishonest rep will be held up as a shining example of “what good looks like” and sent off to Presidents Club at some tropical resort while the honest rep has to look his children in the eye and tell them that good guys do finish last.
Unfortunately I have very little hope that this ever change as these companies can buy whatever and whomever they want. Are there any good people left in the world?

 

[Anonymous]

Not in pharma. I know some very unethical people that still hold pharma positions and have changed companies. They sleep with Drs., while going home to their family. They get money for referrals, then dog the referral after they get into the company. It's all about the bonus check and screwing others literally and figuratively. You have to be selfish and soul-less to be still in pharma. For those of you who aren't, I just say keep a Plan B. Your time will come where you will be sniffed out for not being of the same debase caliber. They will turn on you at that time. Keep a used car in your driveway, some money in your savings and investigate careers where you can apply your healthcare skills. They are out there.

You would think the person with a highly clinical background would be ideally suited to educate physicians on Pharma products but education IS NOT the primary function of a drug rep. They are hired for the sole purpose of INFLUENCING physicians into prescribing their product over the others in its class to increase market share, PERIOD!
Truth, fair balance and un-biased comparisons are totally foreign to a drug rep. If they are not increasing market share they will be fired. It doesn’t matter if the physicians in the honest reps territory has the most up to date and truthful information on his product available. They will fire him and keep the dishonest rep who has totally skewed the view of every physician in his territory to the point that they truly have no idea of the potentially disastrous side effects his product could have on patients. The dishonest rep will be held up as a shining example of “what good looks like” and sent off to Presidents Club at some tropical resort while the honest rep has to look his children in the eye and tell them that good guys do finish last.
Unfortunately I have very little hope that this ever change as these companies can buy whatever and whomever they want. Are there any good people left in the world?

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.fiercepharmamarketing.co...medium=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_campaign=rss


Pharma reps earn an average of $116,334 annually, while their biotech counterparts collect $157,865

How many NPs would like to make this kind of money?

 

[anonymous]

Think about this for a minute. According to a recent article the average salary for Pharma rep is around 90k- 120k a year and DSM’s are making closer to 150k. They both get a company car, 3-4 weeks of vacation a year and an expense account while working very flexible hours.
A new nurse practitioner will earn about as much as a Drug rep and new Physicians will be in the DSM salary range. They do not get a car, have to treat more patients than they can possibly see in nine non-stop hours, take call once a month and even chart on the weekends to keep caught up.
Not surprisingly however there are very few Pharma reps with a clinical background. Sure some may have a nursing degree but they are few and far between. You are far more likely to encounter the beautiful ex-cheerleader or fast talking slick Willie type (yes our ex-president would have made an excellent drug rep) then you will the slightly nerdy and highly clinical type.
Why is this you ask? You would think the person with a highly clinical background would be ideally suited to educate physicians on Pharma products but education IS NOT the primary function of a drug rep. They are hired for the sole purpose of INFLUENCING physicians into prescribing their product over the others in its class to increase market share, PERIOD!
Truth, fair balance and un-biased comparisons are totally foreign to a drug rep. If they are not increasing market share they will be fired. It doesn’t matter if the physicians in the honest reps territory has the most up to date and truthful information on his product available. They will fire him and keep the dishonest rep who has totally skewed the view of every physician in his territory to the point that they truly have no idea of the potentially disastrous side effects his product could have on patients. The dishonest rep will be held up as a shining example of “what good looks like” and sent off to Presidents Club at some tropical resort while the honest rep has to look his children in the eye and tell them that good guys do finish last.
Unfortunately I have very little hope that this ever change as these companies can buy whatever and whomever they want. Are there any good people left in the world?

I wish I found this and read it 7 years ago. I began to question my intuition and observations because there are So Many drug reps that live this immoral way and talk/act like they are in a Noble profession. It is DISGUSTING.

I used to wonder - Are they drinking the kool aid or do they know they are a walking hypocrite? The ones that sleep around on their significant other know they are crap. But, I wondered, are the ones that think they are actually “serving patients” that clueless? I know now I was giving too much benefit of the doubt. Most of them know after 5 years being a rep that they are only given the data that looks good - NOT the truth. But they look the other way or just DONT CARE.
Pharma is a snake pit of narcissistic sociopaths who like the high pay for very little work.

 

[anonymous]

I wish I found this and read it 7 years ago. I began to question my intuition and observations because there are So Many drug reps that live this immoral way and talk/act like they are in a Noble profession. It is DISGUSTING.

I used to wonder - Are they drinking the kool aid or do they know they are a walking hypocrite? The ones that sleep around on their significant other know they are crap. But, I wondered, are the ones that think they are actually “serving patients” that clueless? I know now I was giving too much benefit of the doubt. Most of them know after 5 years being a rep that they are only given the data that looks good - NOT the truth. But they look the other way or just DONT CARE.
Pharma is a snake pit of narcissistic sociopaths who like the high pay for very little work.

As are the doctors who demand that breakfast or lunch be provided to their staff for 30 seconds of their precious time. Or the front desk bouncers who say leave your card and material and the doctor will call you back if interested only to throw it inter trash and never pass on to the MD. Or my all time favorite. The innumerable gutless MDs who allow insurance companies and health systems dictate to them what drugs are best for their patients while telling them they can’t interact with industry. Plenty of blame to go around so please pull your head out of your ass and get some fresh air

 

[anonymous]

Think about this for a minute. According to a recent article the average salary for Pharma rep is around 90k- 120k a year and DSM’s are making closer to 150k. They both get a company car, 3-4 weeks of vacation a year and an expense account while working very flexible hours.
A new nurse practitioner will earn about as much as a Drug rep and new Physicians will be in the DSM salary range. They do not get a car, have to treat more patients than they can possibly see in nine non-stop hours, take call once a month and even chart on the weekends to keep caught up.
Not surprisingly however there are very few Pharma reps with a clinical background. Sure some may have a nursing degree but they are few and far between. You are far more likely to encounter the beautiful ex-cheerleader or fast talking slick Willie type (yes our ex-president would have made an excellent drug rep) then you will the slightly nerdy and highly clinical type.
Why is this you ask? You would think the person with a highly clinical background would be ideally suited to educate physicians on Pharma products but education IS NOT the primary function of a drug rep. They are hired for the sole purpose of INFLUENCING physicians into prescribing their product over the others in its class to increase market share, PERIOD!
Truth, fair balance and un-biased comparisons are totally foreign to a drug rep. If they are not increasing market share they will be fired. It doesn’t matter if the physicians in the honest reps territory has the most up to date and truthful information on his product available. They will fire him and keep the dishonest rep who has totally skewed the view of every physician in his territory to the point that they truly have no idea of the potentially disastrous side effects his product could have on patients. The dishonest rep will be held up as a shining example of “what good looks like” and sent off to Presidents Club at some tropical resort while the honest rep has to look his children in the eye and tell them that good guys do finish last.
Unfortunately I have very little hope that this ever change as these companies can buy whatever and whomever they want. Are there any good people left in the world?

it cuts both ways snowflake. How many docs play these common games? Yes you can have 30 seconds of my time if you spend $500 bucks to feed the staff. How
Many docs advertise and even offer free lunch and or breakfast when hiring office staff? And guess who pays for that? How about the “no see” offices who won’t interact with Pharma and continue to prescribe old outdated medications and ignore recent clinical advances? How is that good for patients? Or the control of insurers and health care systems who dictate what products are used usually based on price and kickbacks they receive? I’d sure be proud of going to med school and being told I don’t have the right to choose what’s best for their patients. Better yet the insurers who demand exorbitant rebates to even consider a drug for formulary approval. And of course those reps who sleep with their customers always put a gun to the poor victimIzed docs who drop their pants/panties to tango. Perhaps you should pull your head out of your ass and get some fresh air?

 

[anonymous]

I was a pharma rep for 32 years. I was always honest and straight forward. When, I started with Marion Labs of KC....Cardizem, Carafate,etc. The owner of the company Ewing Kauffman...told us at training when we went to house. There are 2 things you never do in a Doc's office:

1. Don't ever "LIE" to them. They are not stupid. If he uses another product, say ok, and when you see a PT like this Cardizem may be a better choice...

2. Don't ever bring up Politics....Period.

Well, I Have to say he was correct. He died in 1993. I went to other companies and in those 32 years...I made almost $2.8 Million. Best years of my life. Thanks, Mr. K

 

[anonymous]

OP, 32 years in industry here, and counting. Yes, I was told the same 2 things! We must have worked for the same one company, as others seem to nit know this, or have chosen not to follow. Those were two great philosophy’s to live by! Thanks forbputt8 gm it back out there.

 

[anonymous]

As are the doctors who demand that breakfast or lunch be provided to their staff for 30 seconds of their precious time. Or the front desk bouncers who say leave your card and material and the doctor will call you back if interested only to throw it inter trash and never pass on to the MD. Or my all time favorite. The innumerable gutless MDs who allow insurance companies and health systems dictate to them what drugs are best for their patients while telling them they can’t interact with industry. Plenty of blame to go around so please pull your head out of your ass and get some fresh air

Its risky for Docs to write for new drugs. It’s safer to wait until long term data is available. Pull YOUR head out.

 

[anonymous]

it cuts both ways snowflake. How many docs play these common games? Yes you can have 30 seconds of my time if you spend $500 bucks to feed the staff. How
Many docs advertise and even offer free lunch and or breakfast when hiring office staff? And guess who pays for that? How about the “no see” offices who won’t interact with Pharma and continue to prescribe old outdated medications and ignore recent clinical advances? How is that good for patients? Or the control of insurers and health care systems who dictate what products are used usually based on price and kickbacks they receive? I’d sure be proud of going to med school and being told I don’t have the right to choose what’s best for their patients. Better yet the insurers who demand exorbitant rebates to even consider a drug for formulary approval. And of course those reps who sleep with their customers always put a gun to the poor victimIzed docs who drop their pants/panties to tango. Perhaps you should pull your head out of your ass and get some fresh air?

“Recent clinical advances.” Idiot. Its risky for Docs to write for new drugs. It’s safer to wait until long term data is available. Pull YOUR head out and go to medical school before thinking you’re so smart. Here’s an example: Vioxx was a “Recent Clinical Advancement” when it came out on the market. More patients DIED from that drug than Vietnam soldiers. Your docs writing older drugs are taking the conservative route that protects their patients from risks. THINK before you spout off. How’s that for some fresh air. Asshat.

 

[anonymous]

So so true! I always laugh when I hear drug reps complain about how much money they make. They think they deserve more and most are finding rare disease drugs or startup companies that will pay close to $200 in base and offer bonus on top. They keep people in permanent servitude by providing extra benefits to the already entitled, overpaid group of husslers they call reps. I remember talking to a thoracic cardiologist about his vintage car and he smirked when he mentioned the stryker rep and his bmw. Or the tall, blonde Pfizer rep who openly flirted with his partner and went on a date with another colleague. That tall blond went on to marry a doctor and is a regional director but still just as clueless about the industry as ever. Why these people make so much money compared to our customers is beyond me. Poor form and no social awareness

Think about this for a minute. According to a recent article the average salary for Pharma rep is around 90k- 120k a year and DSM’s are making closer to 150k. They both get a company car, 3-4 weeks of vacation a year and an expense account while working very flexible hours.
A new nurse practitioner will earn about as much as a Drug rep and new Physicians will be in the DSM salary range. They do not get a car, have to treat more patients than they can possibly see in nine non-stop hours, take call once a month and even chart on the weekends to keep caught up.
Not surprisingly however there are very few Pharma reps with a clinical background. Sure some may have a nursing degree but they are few and far between. You are far more likely to encounter the beautiful ex-cheerleader or fast talking slick Willie type (yes our ex-president would have made an excellent drug rep) then you will the slightly nerdy and highly clinical type.
Why is this you ask? You would think the person with a highly clinical background would be ideally suited to educate physicians on Pharma products but education IS NOT the primary function of a drug rep. They are hired for the sole purpose of INFLUENCING physicians into prescribing their product over the others in its class to increase market share, PERIOD!
Truth, fair balance and un-biased comparisons are totally foreign to a drug rep. If they are not increasing market share they will be fired. It doesn’t matter if the physicians in the honest reps territory has the most up to date and truthful information on his product available. They will fire him and keep the dishonest rep who has totally skewed the view of every physician in his territory to the point that they truly have no idea of the potentially disastrous side effects his product could have on patients. The dishonest rep will be held up as a shining example of “what good looks like” and sent off to Presidents Club at some tropical resort while the honest rep has to look his children in the eye and tell them that good guys do finish last.
Unfortunately I have very little hope that this ever change as these companies can buy whatever and whomever they want. Are there any good people left in the world?

 

[anonymous]

it cuts both ways snowflake. How many docs play these common games? Yes you can have 30 seconds of my time if you spend $500 bucks to feed the staff. How
Many docs advertise and even offer free lunch and or breakfast when hiring office staff? And guess who pays for that? How about the “no see” offices who won’t interact with Pharma and continue to prescribe old outdated medications and ignore recent clinical advances? How is that good for patients? Or the control of insurers and health care systems who dictate what products are used usually based on price and kickbacks they receive? I’d sure be proud of going to med school and being told I don’t have the right to choose what’s best for their patients. Better yet the insurers who demand exorbitant rebates to even consider a drug for formulary approval. And of course those reps who sleep with their customers always put a gun to the poor victimIzed docs who drop their pants/panties to tango. Perhaps you should pull your head out of your ass and get some fresh air?

geez are you a moron. That said MD is actually treating patients and has a real degree. The drug rep barely made it through college and I can make a great argument that you shouldn’t even need a college degree to be a rep. Why would an MD even consider seeing a rep now a days? If I was an MD I sure wouldn’t. Every MD knows the rep info is biased so it’s a total waste of time. Md still have to put in hours of CE and can and do their own research from legitimate medical journals and attend peer review meetings.
In addition why does an MD even want to have a meaningful conversation w/ a rep that is completely untrained and has zero experience in the medical field? They don’t! To many reps, and it sounds like you are one of them believe your HQ training is equiviant to an md degree and it’s far from it and dangerous to think your sound bit is worthy of any attention. As for you what to buy the MD food? Sure, your industry made that monster not the MD so cater all you want as an MD I’m still not going to listen to you. You keep showing up that’s your problem. As for Insurance, they use the best most proven algorithm to treat, your drugs not on it or to new to be proven, to bad so sad…