Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies hiring sales and marketing professionals prefer to hire college graduates, particularly those with strong scientific backgrounds.
MCPHS graduates with a bachelors degree in pharmaceutical marketing and management have a competitive edge in pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sales and marketing with the strong combination of scientific knowledge and communication skills honed in MCPHS pharmaceutical sciences programs.
Description
Job responsibilities of a sales representative for a pharmaceutical manufacturing company may include:
- Present a company’s products to physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and health services administrators
- Sell products and manage accounts
- Serve as lines of communication between their companies and clients
- Engage in quality control assisting pharmacists checking for outdated products
Marketing executives also:
- Develop marketing messages for products
- Consult on the development of new products
- Create sales and marketing plans
- Analyze sales results
- Communicate with hospitals, HMOs and the insurance industry
Licensing
- No special licensing is required
Personal qualifications
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- High ethical standards
Employment opportunities
- Strong growth is expected in this field
- Employment for marketing and sales managers in pharmaceutical manufacturing is expected to grow 34% between 2004 and 20014, according to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employment for sales representatives in pharmaceutical manufacturing is expected to grow 29% between 2004 and 20014, according to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Salary
Salaries of pharmaceutical sales and marketing professionals vary widely, and are often based on a combination of salary and commissions. Average salary reported for pharmaceutical sales representatives by the U.S. Department is Labor in 2004: $64,000 per year.
Progression
Most newly employed pharmaceutical sales representatives complete rigorous formal training programs revolving around their company’s product lines
Growth opportunities in pharmaceutical sales and marketing include promotion to a management or specialization in a product area. An advanced degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, business, or regulatory affairs improves and broadens prospects for advancement.
Getting there: Your degree program at MCPHS
- BS Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management (Boston): a full-time undergraduate degree, combines biological and pharmaceutical sciences with marketing and general management studies