Pharm Rep

[quitejaded]

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I was thinking of going to Pharm school because I want to secure a job for when I am old and have children. I was thinking about how I can handle having a regular job and pacing through pharmacy school (like going to school on the side).

In the realm of pharmacy, I would like to be a pharm rep. I thought I needed a Pharm D for that, but my mother told me there is a 2 year program that can get me to that path (but quickly wished she didn't tell me because having a pharm d gets you more money and she seems to think life is all about money, even when you do not have kids and a husband yet... *rolls eyes*). Anyway, can someone tell me the name of this program so I can google it some more? Thankyou

 

[spacecowgirl]

If you want a secure job, a pharmacy rep is not a good choice.

 

[jawnly211]

if you have the brains and the time (you sound like you may be in your early/mid 20's)......go get your pharmD

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

if u have killer legs, nice body and a pretty smile with no brain, go be a drug rep! aim high in life!!

 

[quitejaded]

Excuse me, but I would appreciate replies that actually aim to be helpful. What is the purpose of replying to mock someone looking for help?

Being a Pharm Rep isn't a good idea? I just want to always have a back up. I have the "time". I am 20 and will graduate with 3 bachelours (but not enough pre-reqs for pharm school) when I am 21. Having a Pharm D would be a great back up, but I don't like the idea of doing another 4 years of school and I don't know if I will be able to do it "part-time" the way I can get an undergrad degree "part-time". Hence, I am looking for the 2 year program (that does not require a pharm bachelours degree).

 

[Sparda29]

Excuse me, but I would appreciate replies that actually aim to be helpful. What is the purpose of replying to mock someone looking for help?

Being a Pharm Rep isn't a good idea? I just want to always have a back up. I have the "time". I am 20 and will graduate with 3 bachelours (but not enough pre-reqs for pharm school) when I am 21. Having a Pharm D would be a great back up, but I don't like the idea of doing another 4 years of school and I don't know if I will be able to do it "part-time" the way I can get an undergrad degree "part-time". Hence, I am looking for the 2 year program (that does not require a pharm bachelours degree).

A pharm rep doesn't have any clinical knowledge about drugs. All they know is how to sell ****. They work for a company that makes drug, all they gotta do is read some pamphlet and try to convince the doctors to prescribe the drugs through bribes. FAIL!

 

[jawnly211]

it seems to me you are "set" on becoming a drug rep

i mean, u are coming to a pharmacy forum.....so expect to get the type of responses u are getting

being a drug rep and being a pharmacist are two completely different careers

whatever u decide, good luck

 

[steph pharmD]

Hi. I concur with the people above.
I am frankly almost insulted that you are implying that pharm (drug) rep and pharmacist fall under the same umbrella. Honestly, thats like saying a stethoscope salesman is under the same umbrella as a physician. I'm fairly shocked that drug reps actually have 2 years of school under their belts to be blunt.
PharmD is alot of work. It is worth it.
my 2 cents

 

[SHC1984]

I was thinking of going to Pharm school because I want to secure a job for when I am old and have children. I was thinking about how I can handle having a regular job and pacing through pharmacy school (like going to school on the side).

In the realm of pharmacy, I would like to be a pharm rep. I thought I needed a Pharm D for that, but my mother told me there is a 2 year program that can get me to that path (but quickly wished she didn't tell me because having a pharm d gets you more money and she seems to think life is all about money, even when you do not have kids and a husband yet... *rolls eyes*). Anyway, can someone tell me the name of this program so I can google it some more? Thankyou

I wasn't aware of this program either. Before I decided to (my parents force me to) go to pharmacy school, I looked into Pharm Sales rep. I took a course that was only one semester long and that course mainly help you built connections with drug companies. If you want to be a sales rep, you almost always have to have a PROVEN SALES record. You have to have at least 3 years of stellar sales records in order to be consider. Its not a easy job to get and it requires relocation!!! I almost took a job, but they wanted me to move to PA. As for job security, I don't know if Pharm rep offers that or not. I know a pharmacist have pretty good job security, pharm reps, I am not so sure. 🙂

 

[ffpickle]

I would recommend Pharmacy. It is more stable than sales. Plus, many companies will hire you as a pharmaceutical sales rep during Pharm school. Yep, you can work part-time and have kids.

 

[SHC1984]

I don't know about working part-time and having kids! LOL...I am trying to maintain my current straight A(s) status. I am not smart enough to have kids and have a part-time job and maintain a 4.0. 3.0 maybe. I quit my job as a pharm tech in August b/c I didin't want to risk getting a B+. I recommend pharm sales OR pharmacy school, but not both at the same time for your sanity. 🙂

 

[ffpickle]

I don't know about working part-time and having kids! LOL...I am trying to maintain my current straight A(s) status. I am not smart enough to have kids and have a part-time job and maintain a 4.0. 3.0 maybe. I quit my job as a pharm tech in August b/c I didin't want to risk getting a B+. I recommend pharm sales OR pharmacy school, but not both at the same time for your sanity. 🙂

I mean kids + PT work while you are a practicing pharmacist, not during school. That *would* be tough.

You don't necessarily need to put a lot of hours in as a Pharm Rep, especially for low-paying (low % commission) entry level positions.

 

[ffpickle]

Hi. I concur with the people above.
I am frankly almost insulted that you are implying that pharm (drug) rep and pharmacist fall under the same umbrella. Honestly, thats like saying a stethoscope salesman is under the same umbrella as a physician. I'm fairly shocked that drug reps actually have 2 years of school under their belts to be blunt.
PharmD is alot of work. It is worth it.
my 2 cents

I'm also surprised you need 2 years of school for this. I don't think there are any licensing requirements so you don't really "need" the educational training.

But I do know most companies look for people with at least a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field...at least from the jobs I've seen posted.

Who knows if a PharmD is "worth it"...hopefullty

 

[SHC1984]

I'm also surprised you need 2 years of school for this. I don't think there are any licensing requirements so you don't really "need" the educational training.

But I do know most companies look for people with at least a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field...at least from the jobs I've seen posted.

Who knows if a PharmD is "worth it"...hopefullty

Pzfier requires a bachelor's degree in some kind of business related field and at least 3 years of proven sales record. Johnson and Johnson might require it too and almost ALL (if not ALL) drug companies require a few years of proven sales record. I did a great job selling Mary Kay products and have some sales experience...without that record there was NO way I would have gotten an interview at all. Drug companies prefer sales record over bachelor's degree in science in most cases.

 

[ffpickle]

Pzfier requires a bachelor's degree in some kind of business related field and at least 3 years of proven sales record. Johnson and Johnson might require it too and almost ALL (if not ALL) drug companies require a few years of proven sales record. I did a great job selling Mary Kay products and have some sales experience...without that record there was NO way I would have gotten an interview at all. Drug companies prefer sales record over bachelor's degree in science in most cases.

pharm school is making me attracted to asian chicks

 

[SHC1984]

pharm school is making me attracted to asian chicks

why? I think American girls are more attractive in general. LOL...

 

[scoobygrl79]

why? I think American girls are more attractive in general. LOL...

pharm school is making me attracted to asian chicks

you both are hilarious!

 

[iphetamine]

In some areas companies require a pharmacy degree to work as a drug rep. So it's probably different, you get paid more and can move up the ladder faster. 🙂

 

[johnep34]

I was a pharmrep in the 60s and later in the 90s. From pharmrepping I went on to become a marketing mananger and then export manager, taking me all over the world. While being a pharmrep, I worked as a locum (relief) at weekends. If got fed up at least I did not have the public to deal with or at risk of making an error. Generally, I had a great time.

In the old days pharmrepping was a way for a young pharmacist to scout out suitable locations for his/her own pharmacy.
johnep

 

[SHC1984]

We had a guest speaker (a pharmacist working at Pzfier) come in to speak with us. She told us that there are pharmaceutical sales reps that make 3-4 times more $$$ than her!!! 😱 These are her words! She say sales reps have little to no salary cap, some make 500K a year! damn, maybe a sales rep is the way to go! I knew they make a lot of money, but I never thought it would be up to 500K and MORE. Makes PharmD look bad.

 

[Priapism321]

We had a guest speaker (a pharmacist working at Pzfier) come in to speak with us. She told us that there are pharmaceutical sales reps that make 3-4 times more $$$ than her!!! 😱 These are her words! She say sales reps have little to no salary cap, some make 500K a year! damn, maybe a sales rep is the way to go! I knew they make a lot of money, but I never thought it would be up to 500K and MORE. Makes PharmD look bad.

I guess they forgot to mention the record number of sales representatives being laid off. I implore you to drop out of pharmacy school and immediately apply to Pfizer if you believe the above.

 

[SHC1984]

I guess they forgot to mention the record number of sales representatives being laid off. I implore you to drop out of pharmacy school and immediately apply to Pfizer if you believe the above.

LOL...I know its hard to believe but those were her exact words! I guess I was just kinda impressed and jealous of their salaries...I will still get my pharmD, and I will most likely try sales to see if it works out for me...and if it doesn't I can always do something else with a pharmd. My sales option will always be available.

 

[Priapism321]

LOL...I know its hard to believe but those were her exact words! I guess I was just kinda impressed and jealous of their salaries...I will still get my pharmD, and I will most likely try sales to see if it works out for me...and if it doesn't I can always do something else with a pharmd. My sales option will always be available.

You have fun in sales, I would rather go this route if I wanted to make money and/or work in the industry:

http://www.novartis.com/downloads/newsroom/corporate-press-kit/7f_CV_David_Epstein_EN.pdf

 

[Argentium]

LOL...I know its hard to believe but those were her exact words! I guess I was just kinda impressed and jealous of their salaries...I will still get my pharmD, and I will most likely try sales to see if it works out for me...and if it doesn't I can always do something else with a pharmd. My sales option will always be available.

Sales is all about commission, obviously. So if you're good at it, you'll see a huge pay check, but if you aren't you won't be seeing a lot of money. Its a very high pressure job and you definitely don't need a pharmd for it. just drop out now and apply if that's your ultimate goal.

as for the above listed guy, he has a lot of experience at a top notch management consulting firm with a solid mba! its not surprising at all; i definitely agree that that's the way to go. sales 👎

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

So you want to be a drug rep for Pfizer...

Spend some time here and read.

http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/showthread.php?t=398115


http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=30

http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=3


In my opinion, drug repping is the most degrading work for a PharmD next to being paid for speaking engagements for pharma.

 

[SHC1984]

So you want to be a drug rep for Pfizer...

Spend some time here and read.

http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/showthread.php?t=398115


http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=30

http://www.cafepharma.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=3


In my opinion, drug repping is the most degrading work for a PharmD next to being paid for speaking engagements for pharma.

WOW...thanks for the articles...I didn't even know that forum existed. Yeah...maybe sales isn't the way to go...LOL... I was very surprised too when that guest speaker came in to speak with us last week...thought I had to share what she said..