I had the BALLS to leave pharma!

Jelly....sorry you couldn’t hack it and can’t get back in

 

I hear what you are saying and agree...But it is only a dying industry for the reps...It is quite lucrative and better than ever for the middle and senior managers, and exec teams...

 

Those people lose their jobs, too. No one is secure anymore. In 2007 there were estimated to be around 110,000 pharma reps in the U.S. Today that number is less than 60,000 and the layoffs continue. I know of more than a few former managers that are now working as reps just to have a job and remain in the industry. Others are not so fortunate and are unemployed.

 

Interesting...yet, I feel what you speak of is the exception rather than the rule...When you make your deal with the devil and become a pharmaceutical district manager, it usually guarantees corporate welfare for life...Even the managers that are working as reps usually retain their bloated manager salaries and perks, and do as little as they did as managers...in other words, they have immunity...

Remember people, the more things change, the more they remain the same...I remember when all this talk of the industry eliminating reps began in the early 90s...almost 30 years later, there are still armies of pharma reps, and way way to many middle managers...it's a complete joke...

 

"back in" is a good way of putting it...In a claustrophobic, toxic, group think environment that came close to stealing my soul and my mental heath...

Happy for you that value being "in" that industry...I am fortunate enough to not have to need to be "in" any longer and now have my life back from being a cocktail party joke, and peddling poisonous jabs, pills, and powders...

You like being a pharma rep? I say "have at it!"

I'll take a pass though and "hacked it" for 23 years and if that isn't enough for you cochise - F off!

 

Yep...couldn’t hack it and got tossed. Talks tough but would do anything to get back in. Sorry, sissy...no dice.

 

There are no longer "armies of pharma reps" - the numbers have been significantly reduced over the past 10-15 years. Again, there were estimated to be 110,000 - 120,000 pharma reps in the U.S. in 2007 (really there were too many reps at that time and, yes, it was comparable to an "army of pharma reps"). Today that number is estimated to be less than 60,000 and the layoffs continue as the industry continues it's decline. The industry has moved in the direction of rare disease and specialty drugs and large sales forces are not needed to promote these type of products. Be honest with yourself if you're a rep in 2019 - it's only a matter of time before your job is gone or you will be forced to make a change. There is no job security in the volatile Pharma industry today.

 

I agree that it's a hideous career choice due to no job security, but it's a bad choice for another reason. It is not really sales although the companies brainwash people into thinking that it is. Very few pharma reps will be able to go to a real sales job and have success. Especially those that are used to working the "4 T's." (Tuesday-Thursday 10-2.)

Still, there is a ridiculous amount of sales reps, and even a more ridiculous amount of middle managers in the pharma industry. It is even more amazing when you think about the fact that companies employ these people, pay them crazy well, and they rarely, (if ever) can do anything more for a doctor than call in a lunch delivery.

It truly is insanity. I hope that with the explosive growth of the Cannabis and CBD industries, tha Big Pharma gets knocked down a notch or two in importance. Once you have been in the belly of the beast (ie. worked for Big Pharma) you realize how untrustworthy and sinister they are...

 

The Sky is Falling.

 

And so will your slacks...at your next non-pharma gig.

 

Nope not struggling at all sample closet boy (if they even let you in the door). My wife is a NP and she feels bad for you guys as she knows I used to be in the industry, but still sees no value in today’s pharma reps and glad that I left and now making more money while working at a meaningful job.

Your “always be closing” is about as much sales skills you know, which is outdated buddy. Well, hold your head up high as you bring in donuts and coffee to your fat MAs and non prescribing people as you make up calls and meetings of changing their prescribing habits with the Panera you brought in. Haha. Or maybe put on another useless speaker program where the same freeloading docs attend yet still write nothing for your product. Keep at it, you will “always be closing” I’m sure. Now go memorize your PAckage insert and passionate about delivering that message as people look at you and think, dude, I can read that old ass information., where are them donuts again and I said a Latte not just a coffee you loser”.

 

I work 2 days a week, have a net worth in the millions, and my wife doesn’t have to work. You couldn’t hack it and got shit canned. You can’t sell and can’t get back in. As you mentioned, there are now almost 1/2 the reps as in the past, and no talent losers like you were weeded out long ago. Now go do the laundry for your wife, cupcake.....the bread winner is almost home and she better not have to fold those linens!

 

So spot on...well done.

 

So what you're really saying is that your wife has found something she loves, but you haven't. Yet you pretend to be happy in a non-pharma role, but you are really miserable. Got it!!!!!!!!

 

What exactly is "hacking it" in pharma sales anyway? You order deli trays more efficiently than the next guy or gal? You make up more realistic phony calls than your podmate? You send your idiot manager better fake spreadsheets on demand?

Come on cochise...You're not fooling anyone...And your time will come when you will no longer have the luxury of two-day work weeks and the "no talent losers" you reference will have already moved on and started establishing either better or more meaningful careers.

You are the butt of your own joke pal...Hope that your "net worth in the millions" sustains your lifetime of stupidity.

 

Damn, here I wanted to work in the yard today with my gay partner but it looks like I'm going to have to re-take this board - ugh!

 

Honey - This is your wife, the bread winner. Could you please quit playing on the internet and use your special “skills” to do the dishes and vacuum the floors. I’ll be home by 5:30, please have dinner ready. You are the best wife, I mean husband, ever..

XOXO

 

Sooooo funny

 

Completely agree...once I got out of this industry, I was able to get off of my antidepressants. Been very happy since..

 

For most there may still be money (however, most reps are not making what reps were paid not too many years ago due to lower base salaries, often lower bonuses, and the inflation rate), however for the majority the comfort is gone. In this volatile industry, chronic job insecurity/instability is a given (you never know how long you'll have your job) and, for most, micromanaging company cultures and managers have destroyed any comfort the job may have offered.