Formulary data companies

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Forgive me for intruding. I'm a pharmacist considering career options in pharma sales and drug information/data products for pharma. Basically...I'm sick of retail. I love sales.

Can anyone help me with a few names of companies currently providing formulary data to pharma? I know of Fingertip, but that is all I know. I think Medi Media might do this too, but not sure.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

I am a pharmacist who retired 11 years ago after a 30 year career selling pharmaceuticals for a major company. First piece of advice: Stay away, far away from becoming a drug rep.

You might find something of interest in drug info/formulary data, but I don't know if a pharmacy degree would be helpful there.

If you want a real challenge, why not get a job convincing insurance/pharmacy benefit managers to cover really expensive and brand only drugs? You would go back to retail pharmacy in, oh, about 4 weeks, and be happy to do it.

Or, perhaps you could become one of the most hated professionals in all of the pharmacy world right now.....doing prescription audits on pharmacies,helping pharmacy benefit managers catch pharmacists who fill prescriptions where the prescriber forgot to cross a "t" or wrote "take as directed" on the prescription. Yeah, there you go, that's the ticket!

 

[Anonymous]

I am a pharmacist who retired 11 years ago after a 30 year career selling pharmaceuticals for a major company. First piece of advice: Stay away, far away from becoming a drug rep.

You might find something of interest in drug info/formulary data, but I don't know if a pharmacy degree would be helpful there.

If you want a real challenge, why not get a job convincing insurance/pharmacy benefit managers to cover really expensive and brand only drugs? You would go back to retail pharmacy in, oh, about 4 weeks, and be happy to do it.

Or, perhaps you could become one of the most hated professionals in all of the pharmacy world right now.....doing prescription audits on pharmacies,helping pharmacy benefit managers catch pharmacists who fill prescriptions where the prescriber forgot to cross a "t" or wrote "take as directed" on the prescription. Yeah, there you go, that's the ticket!

Okay, I get your point. However, I suspect you just didn't bang your head against the wall for 30 years. You stayed for some reason. I know the grass is always greener...but when people say to "stay away" from a career they spent their whole lives doing...I have to believe it wasn't always that bad. In other words...like any other job on the planet...some parts suck...some don't.

Thanks for your perspective though...

Anyone actually able to answer my question? Thanks...

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, I get your point. However, I suspect you just didn't bang your head against the wall for 30 years. You stayed for some reason. I know the grass is always greener...but when people say to "stay away" from a career they spent their whole lives doing...I have to believe it wasn't always that bad. In other words...like any other job on the planet...some parts suck...some don't.

Thanks for your perspective though...

Anyone actually able to answer my question? Thanks...

Sounds like you already have your mind made up. So go ahead and do it and quit fishing around for answers and suggestions you plan to ignore.

When I retired, some parts sucked, most didn't. Now, all parts suck.

Go ahead, but remember, you were warned. The best thing you have going for you is that you will always be able to return to pharmacy when the time comes fore you to get "re-allocated'!

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you already have your mind made up. So go ahead and do it and quit fishing around for answers and suggestions you plan to ignore.

When I retired, some parts sucked, most didn't. Now, all parts suck.

Go ahead, but remember, you were warned. The best thing you have going for you is that you will always be able to return to pharmacy when the time comes fore you to get "re-allocated'!

For the record, I'm not fishing for suggestions I plan to ignore.

I asked a simple question. You didn't understand it or were not able to answer it.

No big deal. And again, I do appreciate your perspective.

 

[Anonymous]

For the record, I'm not fishing for suggestions I plan to ignore.

I asked a simple question. You didn't understand it or were not able to answer it.

No big deal. And again, I do appreciate your perspective.

Personally, I would only accept a consulting assignment. Why? Because every position these days is temporary (except maybe those that know some damning dirt known only to them and the right people - just speculation of course, no harm intended!), be sure that you get paid a premium as long as you are employed.

Also, do not accept relocation that involves mandatory repayment if you don't "stay" for a full year. If they let you go, you will NOT receive relocation back home!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

Forgive me for intruding. I'm a pharmacist considering career options in pharma sales and drug information/data products for pharma. Basically...I'm sick of retail. I love sales.

Can anyone help me with a few names of companies currently providing formulary data to pharma? I know of Fingertip, but that is all I know. I think Medi Media might do this too, but not sure.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

IMS is huge. You may also consider working as an MSL, medical science liaison, for a pharmaceutical company.there is also an unmet need in pharmacy "marketing" to physician groups, iPas, and individual practices. The PA paperwork and hassles form pharmacies drive them nuts. Establishing a relationship with a pharmacy is a win-win and perfectly legitimate if done appropriately.