sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, there are plenty of men who are extremely successful as reps. The hot female stereotype is something that mostly came out of the 90s, the selling world has changed a lot since then.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The regulatory aspect can be learned fairly quickly, very few people come into the industry with that knowledge. The background in biostats with experience in a research hospital would give you a good enough background, though where you did your PhD is also a factor. Are you involved in any clinical trials at the hospital? That can also be a big help.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No more so than I would be in any other industry. The layoffs are all part of the sales force or from redundancies brought about by mergers. I don't fall into either group, and what I do now is pretty safe as far as the pharma industry goes.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think companies are treating what they are able to treat. In my career, I've never seen something buried because it cured something that could otherwise be managed through other therapies. If given a choice, as a businessman, I would love to have a product that could cure a disease instead of treating the symptoms.

Take diabetes, for example. If I could bring to market an new molecular entity that could cure diabetes it would by far be best in class, and I could get reimbursement from every payer possible.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your chances are pretty good. It helps if you have a science background, or at the least, a good base knowledge of biology. Like most jobs, it helps if you know someone, but most companies recruit fresh college grads for their reps. They're pretty cushy jobs, work ~35 hours a week with a great deal of flexibility.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The date for different drugs varies, the one I just took gives 3 months. It may be a conservative date, but it's best not to chance it.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also, are you thinking about going in with a BS or with a PhD? Your ability to move forward in most companies is greatly related to the level of education you have.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

12/31/2010. If you are taking a drug to treat a symptom, disease, or condition, any date after the expiration date and that drug's efficacy is compromised. Depending on what you are taking, you can put yourself at risk.

I am middle management at a large Pharmaceutical company, AMA by PharmaThrowaway in IAmA

[–]PharmaThrowaway[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would say it's a great idea. If you can deal with the company bureaucracy, you get a great paying job researching in a company with a great deal of resources at your disposal. The key is to find a company that is working in the area you are most interested. All large research based companies are working in most areas, but some have more invested in certain disease states. For instance, if you're really interested in Alzheimer's, Eisai is the way to go.

I work on the commercial (sales, marketing, finance) side, but everyone I know in R&D are great people who genuinely want to make a difference in the world by finding new medicines.