Medical Representative

 

I worked as a pharma sales person for about 30 years from 1972 (first 14 years as a Medical Representative and later as a Manager) In the 70s & 80s only a small number of generic equivalent brands were available in the market in vast majority of therapeutic segments. The exceptions were antibiotic drugs and vitamins. I remember that in Guntur, about 65-70 MRs were based in the 70s and 80s (representing about 50 companies - some companies had >1reps) Ethical promotion to convince a doctor about superiority of a product resulted in prescription for it. Doctors were looking for knowledge about new changes in therapeutic options available through pharma companies. Now, the internet availability has given them direct access to all latest information they require. Availability of more number of Brands in many classes of medicines has changed the orientation of pharma business from being industry driven. The baton of power to influence the pharma sales has slipped into the hands of Doctors now. We were fortunate to have been part of the industry in its Golden Period. Medical Representative served the cause of medical science by being a carrier of latest medical info to doctors helping in updating their knowledge base particularly of those in far flung areas. Medical Representative also helped in ensuring drug availability even in remotest areas. Sales persons thus contributed to better health care of the society. This was achieved even while they were exposed to various hazards while on job.

1. Exposure to infections from other waiting patients in doctors' clinics, sometimes even to serious ones like tuberculosis, is a job hazard. 

2. One can not give proper care and attention to own children during their growing up period since it is a touring job.

3. Long periods of vehicle driving and prolonged periods of sitting while on travel are associated with musculo- skeletal problems.

4. Excessive work load, inability to cope with the large number of doctor visits every day and frustration owing to prolonged periods of waiting in clinics are possible reasons for altered mental health. 

5. Similarly, limited opportunity to interact with own colleagues and friends may be another reason for frustration and mental 

stress among Medical Representatives.

Mental morbidity is alarming as it could adversely affect the family and social life of Medical representatives, leading to diminished working ability. 

6. One major finding is that the medical representatives are not involved in any physical activity other than the routine work.

7. There is strong evidence linking fixed postures and prolonged sitting with occupational low back pain. A seated posture leads to inactivity, which ultimately causes accumulation of metabolites, accelerating disc degeneration and leading to disc herniation, musculoskeletal problems, with postural stress leading to back, neck and upper extremity pain.

8. Apart from the above listed health issues, gastritis is another one, due to irregular food habits and frequent hotel food.

summary of the woes of a medical representative.

Unspecified hours of daily work

Is our unwanted perk

sitting next to patient in waiting

My health risk is on the rising

Field work keeps office colleagues away

camaraderie is always so far away

Feeling of loneliness is depressing

It keeps you mentally agonising

driving keeps you under strain

It causes all joints to pain

Progress makes you travel far and wide

Keeping your parenting pleasures aside

You yearn for enjoying wife's culinary skill

But more often you are paying a hotel bill

Our bane is Uncertain untimely food

Surely cause gastric troubles it would