Benefits of being a pharmaceutical sales representative

Financial rewards, including a company car

A career in pharmaceutical sales offers some of the best benefits and perks anyone can ask for in a job. Typical starting salaries are in the low $ 30,000 and established representatives may have base salaries in the low $ 90,000. Plus, bonuses for high-performing salespeople can easily drive revenue into the six-figure range. But besides money, there are many other attractive advantages in pharmaceutical sales.

One of the most enjoyable benefits that pharmaceutical sales reps enjoy is the use of late-model company cars. These are typically mid-size sedans that are rented under a company fleet program. Some drug companies even offer minivans to their sales forces and I have seen representatives who also drive sport utility vehicles such as company cars.

Company car leases are typically short-term lasting a few years, so sales reps end up driving relatively new vehicles all the time. Once a company car lease expires, the representative gets a new vehicle! All maintenance costs, such as adjustments, oil changes, gasoline, and insurance, are paid by the company, so basically the sales reps can drive their cars for free (although for tax purposes, the company’s payroll department can report a taxable profit on sales). Force personnel).

Some companies have been known to offer vehicles that are near the end of the lease terms for sale at significant market discounts. Representatives have been able to purchase used cars in relatively good condition for other family members and friends at very attractive prices through such programs. Some have even resold these vehicles on the used car market for a small profit.

In addition to a company car, a pharmaceutical representative also has access to an expense account that allows them to entertain clients, such as doctors, on a business level, whether for meals at fine restaurants or other business social activities such as outings. Golf. or attend sporting events. Of course, the representative is expected to participate with his clients in these commercial social activities.

Freedom and independence

For those people who don’t like the idea of ​​being stuck inside with an office job, a pharmaceutical sales position offers the opportunity to spend most of their working hours in the field visiting clients like doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Pharmaceutical representatives are free to set and organize their own working hours. No day is identical, as different clients are visited at different locations each business day. Pharmaceutical sales involve a lot of independence, as the heads of pharmaceutical representatives or district sales managers are usually not around 95% of the time. Therefore, there is no one who constantly looks over their shoulder most of the time in search of this line of work.

Travel opportunities

Pharmaceutical companies generally hold sales meetings for their sales forces in pleasant locations, sometimes even exotic locations abroad, giving reps the opportunity to travel at the companies’ expense. Accommodation, meals, and entertainment during these meetings are typically top-notch. I stayed at five-star resorts, went on a Mediterranean cruise, took a Grand Canyon sightseeing plane, skiing in the Rocky Mountains, attending live theater in New York City, touring the ancient city of Pompeii, and I experienced many other interesting activities. they were paid while working for pharmaceutical companies.

There are also opportunities for pharmaceutical representatives to attend large medical conferences that are often also held in pleasant venues. Some representatives have been able to bring spouses, partners, and family members to combine business trips with personal vacations. Once again, the company had already paid all or a large part of the travel expenses. I used company paid flights and extended some stays before or after company meetings for personal vacations. In this way I was able to dive in the Egyptian Red Sea. I know representatives who have extended trips to Europe and the Caribbean in combination with company meetings.

Satisfying an important role in health care

Of course, along with these benefits, there are other factors involved in pharmaceutical product sales that can be very satisfying. Pharmaceutical representatives are in a position to help educate doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical students about their pharmaceuticals along with the associated medical conditions they treat. There is great satisfaction when a medical professional tells you that their product has made a positive difference in a patient’s health, especially when the professional never used their product before it was introduced to them.

It would have been his sales efforts that caused the doctor to change his prescribing habits, which ultimately helped him treat patients better. This makes a pharmacist representative feel like an important part of the overall healthcare team. In fact, it is a good feeling when you know that you are part of a company responsible for bringing a much-needed medical product to society.