Top 5 layoffs of 2008

Hey Maureen, you missed GSK. Major layoffs in next 2 weeks

In 2005 there were over 100K reps, any idea how many remain in '08? 75K?

Having been a former Rep I know the hardships of this line of work. I left after 2 years. While some Reps do bring a lot of value, there are far too many now, diluting their effectiveness. Offices rarely see them and hospitals are just as difficult. Blame poor R&D as well. The industry went from delivering value to delivering eye candy to MDs who all too often gobbled it up. It was the beginning of the end of a great profession. Good luck to you all.

Do you know how many of the small biotechs have had to close due to finances and lack of funding?

Yes, you forgot GSK...here is the data and still counting:

Summer: 350
October: 800
November: 1,800 sales reps

Granted, in the past 10 years the Pharmaceutical companies went overboard with the # of sales reps out in the field...BUT when will we see big money savings from lay offs of Pharma's top heavy, over paid and dead weight upper level executives?

I hate to point this out, but if big pharma can let all of those folks go without major issues continuing to do business, then those employees were not adding value (or very much of it). As one marketeer put it to me: if you can't show me where you made me $$, saved me $$ or saved me time - why do I employ you? Pharma sales reps with biology/chemistry or molecular degrees - send me your information. In my areas our candidates provide real value and therefore, are not laid off. Check out my site: www.phcconsulting.com

How about Roche Palo Alto?

While waiting for my annual physical with my HMO resident, I overheard two pharm reps as follows: "Oh, I did not know there was a book called Gray's Anatomy. I do love the television series. I'll have to buy the book." LOL LOL LOL I guess the television series needs to show the book so the stupid pharmaceutical reps can learn something.

I just finished reading By By Catbell7's remarks. As a Pharmaceutical Representative of 20 years, I just so happen to be an RN and hold two Masters Degrees. What you "may" have witnessed is not the norm for the industry as a whole. Representatives are not hired out of kindergarden, but rather some of the top schools nation wide. In closing, I have some difficulty in believing your comment and consider it a figment of your imagination. It appears as if you just needed a to read your own quote. Have a Happy Holiday!

I have served as the Administrative Assistant to the Vice President of Medical Affairs at a hospital in South Central Pennsylvania for the past 8 years and also coordinate its CME program. In that capacity, I have a great deal of interaction with pharma reps. It has been my impression, which is shared by many others both in and out of the pharma industry, that there is a clear distinction between what I would characterize as the "old-school" and "new-school" reps. Many of the "old-school" reps are act appropriately, dress conservatively, are highly knowledgeable about their products beyond their obvious company training, and seem to be well-respected by the physicians. The "new-school" reps (both male and female) are much younger, flirtatious, appear to be more eye-candy than anything else (with the women frequently wearing shockingly low-cut tops or short skirts - albeit professional ones), and seem capable of only regurgitating their company's propoganda. Even some of the more seasoned reps who I have developed close relationships with have pointed out to me their own similar observations. On more than one occasion, I have found myself stupefied by a pharma reps behavior and/or apparent lack of knowledge. In that regard, I can respect both Catbell7's and Shultz's comments above.

I am a retired Hospital Rep. with 35 years experience in a city with 3 famous medical schools and a number of very big hospitals that are affiliated with the medical schools. I would not like to be doing this work today. Too many reps and too many reps who are not qualified to do the work that tend to give all reps an image that anybody can do this work.

A successful rep does not need to know about Gray's Anatomy unless you are calling on surgeons selling surgical instruments or selling Gray's Anatomy. Dr's do not spend as much time in anatomy as they used to unless they are surgeons. Even then there are now specialists on certain parts of the body. There are now hand surgeons, knee surgeons, shoulder surgeons, eye and ear surgeons. stomach surgeons, etc. The patient gets a better result when the surgeon has done a procedure over and over so that he can do it in his sleep.

Knowing the basic pharmacology of your product vs a competitive product is what is professional AFTER you learn to be a "professional". Communication skills and knowledge of biology in sickness and health is more important.

I agree with Mr.Retired Hospital Rep. Having been a rep for 7 years (I'm still in the industry but in another role), I always found it frustrating to compete with the armies of reps including my own colleagues-for face time with the docs.
I think the industry is readjusting it's focus on more specific/tailored drugs vs. the blockbuster-which in the past had always provided the justification for carrying so many reps.And because of this therapeutic focus shift the pharma/biotech companies need to have more highly skilled people other than ones who dress up like pumpkins during halloween...just to make themselves stand out in the waiting room. I know there are some very talented reps and I still believe there is a need for reps, but perhaps their roles may have to change a bit.

what about lay off in puerto rico sales rep.
wyeth 63
merck 56
abbott 34
sanofi 14

I am sad to hear so many reps are loosing their job. If you are an un-employed drug rep - highly motivated and would like to profit from you book of business, we have an opportunity to make 6 figures from the same doctors while helping the community. We are looking for reps all across the country and Puerto Rico. if you are interested in this unique opportunity, send your resume to rob@cashdoctor.com and I will contact you.

I have 31 years in the pharma business, sales, sales Rep, hospital sales, major account sales, District Managment, Region Management...clinical research. The industry spent billions of dollars training all those who represent their companies and products, with testing standards. With the switch to eye candy for physicans those professionals with all that training have no value to these companies, as layoffs leave tenured professionals on the unemployment lines, we are forgotten by pharma executives who believe eye candy is more effective that good clinical discussions. They should be investigated across the board for age discrimination.

Roy

Game over- too many reps, too little value, too much govement interferrance in the free market system. You wanted change, how do you like it?

As a recent victim of the GSK layoff I have some interesting obervations about my ten years in the business. First, I worked for a company that provided me a great opportunity, money, etc. Then as I started to question some practices things went downhill. Like many, and I mean many reps with blatant disregard for anyone of non-lilly white skin color. And I quote, " If I become a manage I will never hire a N*&&%@". This is one of the most blatant remarks I heard. But not just once. And from "Christian" people. I guess they by-passed predominatly black physicians offices.

Next, representing your product and knowing the implications of non-indicated use or not being allowed to offer ALL aspects of the drugs indications,reported severe side-effects, etc. some of them only to extend a patent, and some that we strayed away from acute use as opposed to maintenance therapy became the norm. Remember, maintenance therapy brings in more dollars. Yes, that put more butter on my corn on the cob, but it puts a dark cloud on some of those silly slogans like "...feel better, live longer" BS!

This industry is loaded with "me too" medications that have little, if any, significant greater efficacy than their competitors.

Finally, many patients have stayed out of the hospital thus reducing their expenditure for such treatment at the hands of popping a pill. But if the United States accounts for 57% of all the medications sold world wide, then for the love of God lets have some more vague commercials getting patients to tell doctors how to treat themselves like they have a medical degree.

Free enterprise, right wing do-gooders, ain't America Grand!