Careers in Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Industry 

Careers in the Pharmaceutical industry, working for pharmaceutical manufacturers, consist of three basic types: the research and development of new products, and sales and marketing of the company.

These positions involve little contact with patients, but extensive contact with pharmacists and other health professionals, particularly physicians and other prescribers. This contact is not patient related, but related to a specific medication or disease state.

According to the Pharmacy Manpower Project, approximately 2% of all active pharmacists’ time is spent in careers within the pharmaceutical industry.

Valerie Schmidt, B.S.,
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Eli Lilly & Co. , Marietta, Georgia

Valerie Schmidt, a 1996 graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, is responsible for educating primary care physicians about the uses and benefits of specific Lilly products. In her territory, which encompasses a two-hour (driving time) radius in the Atlanta area, Valerie visits doctors on a regular basis, provides literature and samples, describes key aspects of the products she represents, and answers questions. On a typical day of sales calls, she sees about eight to ten physicians. She spilts the territory with another primary care sales representative; other Lilly representatives cover such specialties as women’s health and oncology.

“What’s great about this job is being on the cutting edge of medicine and knowing about pharmaceutical advances early on.” About 80% of Valerie’s job involves sales calls. The other 20% of the time she is in her home office writing reports and filling out paperwork.

A key challenge is gaining access to busy physicians. To be successful she works at being as knowledgeable as she can and providing objective information, so that physicians see her as a helpful, credible resource. “You have top gain their trust and respect. I like to think of myself as in a partnership with the physician – providing valuable information that he or she can use to help patients.” Qualities she draws on to be successful include assertiveness, self-motivation, and good communication skills. “You have to be achievement-oriented and you can’t be afraid to challenge physicians in a constructive way.”