Medical Sales representatives are employed by pharmaceutical companies to promote medicines to doctors and pharmacists. The role involves visiting doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists etc to make presentations on medicines developed by the pharmaceutical company you work for.
They sell their company's products, which include medicines, prescription drugs and medical equipment, to a variety of customers including general practices, primary care trusts (PCTs), hospitals and pharmacies. They also work strategically to increase the awareness and use of their company's pharmaceutical and medical products.
Tasks include:
- Arranging appointments with doctors, hospital consultants, nurses, midwives, pharmacists etc.
- Making presentations on medicines developed by the pharmaceutical company you work for to them.
- Organising symposia for doctors.
- Managing budgets (for catering, outside speakers etc.).
- Learning about new products.
- Keeping chemists informed e.g. which drugs GPs are likely to prescribe.
- Attending company's regional meetings.
Medical sales reps are usually based in a specific geographical location and specialise in a particular product or medical area. They may also make presentations and organise group events for healthcare professionals, as well as working with contacts on a one-to-one basis.
Many employers of medical sales representatives prefer graduates and a degree in one of the following subjects is useful:
- Life sciences
- Pharmacy
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Dentistry
A business or marketing degree may also be helpful, especially if it is accompanied by some knowledge of medical sales and what that involves.
