Differences between Medical Sales Representatives and Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives?

Question

I am interested in learning more about both fields. I was told to pick one or the other. The differences as far as salary, bonuses, commissions, travel, other perks such as medical and dental benifits, company car, ect. I am also intereested in knowing which field is more stable and which field offers more growth and earning potential.

Answer 1

In medical sales it become a matter of hopefully getting "the right product". You have to become an expert on your product, be able, if it is a peice of surgical equipment, for example, to be at the OR on time and go into the OR, teach the nurses and techs about the product, how to set it up, sterilize it, and use it, and then be on hand to guide the surgeon through the procedure. This is often the hardest part, because surgeons rarely are willing to admit they don't know more than everyone else. You also have to be able to fix any issue which arise. Then you have to not only convience the surgeon it is a good product, but convience the OR supervisor that it can be fit into an already over-limit budget. But if you make the sale, the commissions are nice.

In pharmaceutical sales, it becomes a matter of dropping by the offices in your area, and making sure they not only know about the drug, but have lots of samples. It used to be a matter of taking people to basketball games and golf, but that has pretty much come to an end. The job is usually pretty laid back, and I always had great relationships with my reps. We would go out on my boat on the weekends and hang out just because we got along so well. If you are a person who makes friends easily, this is a good job.

Answer 2

Medical sales can involve selling medical equipment, or a variety of things "medically-related". Pharmaceutical is strictly limited to pharmaceuticals (medications), involves a lot of scheduling time with physicians, probably making cold calls (they didn't ask you, you just go around trying to promote the current product), and there's a backlash against the pushing of medications on doctors now, not much, but it's there, and some places don't allow pharma reps at all.

Both have potential, but I'd guess if you could get a job selling high-priced medical equipment, the commissions would be much higher and the hassle probably not as much, but that depends on your personality and what you thrive on.

Answer 3

Pharmaceutical Sales is much more laid back. As long as you look good, visit your doctors often, you'll be fine.

Medical Sales Reps probably make MUCH more money, but it's also VERY much a REAL sales job. You'd have to cold call, generate leads, AND close deals. However, with medical sales, you'll more than likely also be on call with the doctors that you sell the equipment to so you can show the doctors how to use the equipment correctly.

Good luck!