Pharm Sales good for experience?

[stunna]

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Hi everyone, I currently have double degrees in biology and economics from illinois champaign and have been retaking some classes i did poorly in from freshman year, I plan on taking the pcat in october and i was thinking of working in pharmaceutical sales for a year till i can apply the next go around. Would this help my chances of getting into pharmacy school? What do u think of pharmaceutical sales? thanks.

 

[CSzGirl]

Any exposure to the pharmacy or medical environments is good experience. Plus, working as a drug rep will give you some experience with some of the technical information about whatever drug or drugs you represent.

However, try to also set up some job shadowing experiences in different pharmacy environments - working as a rep should give you some ins there.

From my experience, pharmacy schools want students who have researched the career and understand exactly what they are getting into.

 

[Tyrol]

Any exposure to the pharmacy or medical environments is good experience. Plus, working as a drug rep will give you some experience with some of the technical information about whatever drug or drugs you represent.

However, try to also set up some job shadowing experiences in different pharmacy environments - working as a rep should give you some ins there.

From my experience, pharmacy schools want students who have researched the career and understand exactly what they are getting into.

Those are all good points. As a pharma rep for a couple years, it seemed to help me. In my essay, I emphasized knowledge of drug development, pre-formulation to trials as well as the clinical trials process itself. It was a good answer for the "What can you offer our school/how are you different than every other applicant" type question. Good luck and PM me if you want some advice on which big pharma to work for. However, as previously stated, also get some actual retail/hospital pharmacy experience. This goes along way in demonstrating that you know what you really want.
Mark

 

[wannabepharm]

Those are all good points. As a pharma rep for a couple years, it seemed to help me. In my essay, I emphasized knowledge of drug development, pre-formulation to trials as well as the clinical trials process itself. It was a good answer for the "What can you offer our school/how are you different than every other applicant" type question. Good luck and PM me if you want some advice on which big pharma to work for. However, as previously stated, also get some actual retail/hospital pharmacy experience. This goes along way in demonstrating that you know what you really want.
Mark

I am actually looking for a drug rep position. Is it impossible to get one without any sales experience? I went to a sales job fair,and had an interview with Aventis, but they never called me back. I think it was mostly because I have no experience in sales. Does anyone have good advice of how I can get my foot in the door of a pharm company?

 

[ultracet]

i'll just go ahead and tell you all that for the most part drug reps are the devil


sorry...


the majority of students in my class have absolutely no respect for them and the only reason they are nice to them is for the ink pens and food.

 

[Sosumi]

Yes, it'll help. I know of a few students at my school who were pharmaceutical sales reps. My brother's best friend was one for several years before he got accepted to my school for this fall. His numbers I don't believe were that great (PCAT's in the 70s), but his experience, business degree, and pharm sales rep experience among other things helped.

 

[fairyofsong]

the majority of students in my class have absolutely no respect for them and the only reason they are nice to them is for the ink pens and food.

Good point bbmuffin.. that's why we are so welcoming to them in the pharmacy.. some of the coolest pens around!

 

[ultracet]

Good point bbmuffin.. that's why we are so welcoming to them in the pharmacy.. some of the coolest pens around!

the worst one was i believe a levitra pen a while back.... you pushed a button on the side of it to use the pen...
it would swing to the other side (180 segrees) (think an arc) inorder to be a usable pen....

sometimes those things are just wrong

 

[Tyrol]

the worst one was i believe a levitra pen a while back.... you pushed a button on the side of it to use the pen...
it would swing to the other side (180 segrees) (think an arc) inorder to be a usable pen....

sometimes those things are just wrong

Ink pens?
You have got to be kidding.
You should see the budgets for "Market Development". Hold out for the deep sea fishing trips/retreats/visits to steak houses that are really "strip clubs", etc. I've seen it first hand, and sadly its very quid pro quo. Thats a good deal of the reason why I left.

 

[Trancelucent1]

Tyrol how long have you been gone? I thought that the laws were changed a few years back and stopped these exaggerated extras. I know the dinner's still happen b/c I've been to some, but I know that you can't bring your spouse anymore. Just curious. Thanks!

 

[ZpackSux]

Drug Reps live their lives preaching why the drugs they represent are much better than the competitor's. What purpose do they really serve?

 

[ultracet]

Tyrol how long have you been gone? I thought that the laws were changed a few years back and stopped these exaggerated extras. I know the dinner's still happen b/c I've been to some, but I know that you can't bring your spouse anymore. Just curious. Thanks!

yep
same thing i was thinking....