About Pharmaceutical
The entire pharmaceutical industry including research, development and innovation is devoted to the discovery, development, production and marketing of drugs for medical use. Medicines or pharmaceuticals are made to prevent, cure or treat diseases and they are developed under a regulated process to prove efficacy and safety.
Pharma Companies
Pharma companies study, develop, produce and distribute drugs and medicines that are used to help cure diseases or maintain good health. Its major activities include the discovery of medicines, clinical trials and supply of innovative branded and generic pharmaceutical products for market distribution. India is the leading player in pharmaceuticals, also referred to as "the pharmacy of the world", due to its high volume of generic drug and vaccine production for both domestic and international markets.
Core Activities
- Research and Development
- Manufacturing
- Marketing and Distribution
Types of Pharmaceutical Companies
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Original/Branded | Focus on developing and marketing new, proprietary drugs. |
| Generic | Manufacture and sell copies of brand name drugs after their patents expire. |
| Biopharmaceutical | Produce products using biotechnology, such as vaccines and protein-based therapies, which is distinct from the chemical synthesis of traditional pharmaceutical companies. |
Top 10 Pharmaceutical Companies are
- Cilpa Ltd.
- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
- Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.
- Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.
- Mankind Pharma Ltd.
- Lupin Ltd.
- Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
- Divi's Laboratories Ltd
- Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
- Aurobindo Pharma Ltd.
Pharma Career
Pharmaceuticals is a vast sector and it offers wide variety of positions in the departments like research, marketing, manufacture, quality control and sales that require multitude of skill sets. There are many options to choose from, including being a pharmacists, clinical research associate (CRA), regulatory affairs specialist or scientist, as well as in more business-oriented roles such as sales rep. Some pharmaceutical jobs are secure, pay well and can mean a job using cutting-edge technology.
Key Career Paths include
- Pharmacists
- Sales and marketing
- Regulatory affairs
- Pharmacovigilance
- Clinical research
- Manufacturing and quality control
- Research and development
Pharma Sales Executive
A pharma sales executive sells and promotes pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals such as doctors and pharmacists. They learn to educate the providers about the benefits of a drug, respond to their questions, develop relationships with them, and apply sales strategies with hopes of fulfilling their quotas.
Necessary skills and qualifications
- A degree in related field pharmacy, life science or business is often preferred.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
- Strong negotiation skills are necessary for achieving sales goals.
- The ability to manage and schedule time accordingly.
- A resilient attitude is important to handle rejection from busy healthcare professionals.
- A solid understanding of pharmaceutical products, market dynamics, and industry regulations is necessary.
| Parameter | Salary |
|---|---|
| Average annual | Around ₹14,60,292, which includes an average bonus of ₹3,65,219 |
| Entry-level (1-3 years) | Approximately ₹8,26,660 |
| Senior level (8+ years) | Approximately ₹18,90,155 |
| Range | Salaries can range from ₹1.5 Lakhs to ₹8.3 Lakhs or higher, depending on various factors. |
Medical Representative
A medical sales representative is a form of marketing whose primary function is to sell and promote a company's products. They are the bridge between drug manufacturers and medical professionals, they teach people about their organisation’s products, they build relationships and also work to meet sales targets.
Key Responsibilities include
- Information provider
- Relationship building
- Market analysis
- Training and demonstration
- Sales and target
- Product promotion
MR Jobs and Salary
Sales Representative Jobs and Salary in India
| Level | Common Job roles | Average annual salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0-2 years) | Sales Executive, Sales Associate, Trainee, Telemarketer, Inside Sales Representative | ₹2.5 Lakhs – ₹6.5 Lakhs |
| Mid-Level (2–5 years) | Business Development Executive, Inside Sales Executive, Account Manager | ₹8 Lakhs – ₹15 Lakhs |
| Senior-Level (5–10 years) | Sales Manager, Area Sales Manager, Senior Executive, Senior Account Manager | ₹15 Lakhs – ₹35 Lakhs |
| Leadership (10+ years) | National Sales Head, Director of Sales, Vice President of Sales | ₹35 Lakhs – ₹50+ Lakhs |
MR Course
Mr Courses" can also refer to a "Medical Representative" (Sales) course or special education course for "Mental Retardation". The medical representatives courses prepare people for pharmaceutical sales and include instruction in sales methods, product promotion and market research. Special education classes equip instructors to educate kids suffering with intellectual disabilities.
How to choose the right course?
- Consider your career goals
- Consider your academic interests
- Consider your technical skills
FAQ'S
Q1. Is pharmaceutical sales a good career path?
Ans. Yes, pharmaceutical sales can be a good career as it offers high salary potential, excellent benefits and the opportunity of getting advanced professionally if you have special skills such as strong communication combined with good sales or science skills. But it can also be hard work and gruelling, and calling for grit and good people skills.
Q2. How do you become a pharmaceutical representative?
Ans. If you want to become a pharmaceutical representative, you will need a bachelor’s degree, excellent sales and communications skills and be willing to travel. Experience in sales or a similar role, earning industry certifications and networking are also essential steps to improve your chances and prepare for the role.
Q3. How can someone get a job in pharmaceutical sales?
Ans. The duties of a pharmaceutical sales rep include educating healthcare providers about their medications in hopes it will be prescribed. Among other responsibilities, they meet with doctors and pharmacists, answer questions on products, offer samples and develop long-term relationships with clients. They are linking pin between the drug manufacturers and healthcare professionals, develop product expertise and communicates market feedback to manufacturer.
Q4. What is the work of a pharmaceutical sales rep like?
Ans. A pharmaceutical sales representative's task is educating more than the sale of medications, but prescription of the substances to patients. This involves visiting physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals to provide information on marketed products such as indications, contraindications and off-label uses of these products.
Q5. How to get my foot in the door as a pharmaceutical sales rep?
Ans. If you want to break into the field as a pharmaceutical sales rep, expect to network tirelessly, get relevant experience or education and tweak your resume to demonstrate transferable skills.