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  • The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
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Sales Representative

I became a rep because I wanted to do something more challenging.

Sonal, Senior Medical Representative

​So, what do you do?

I am a senior rep; my role is to promote my company’s medicines to health care professionals within a given territory. I have sales target that I have to meet, and regularly monitor my business plans to achieve this. My other duties include being a mentor to new reps, and caretaking the team in my manager’s absence.

What does your typical day involve?

Seeing doctors in the morning, pharmacists in the afternoon, then twice a week team meetings. I then come home and action emails.

How has your career developed since you entered the industry?

I have chosen to be a career rep, and so have been promoted to senior rep, and am working towards the next stage, executive rep.

Why did you decide on a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

My brother-in-law, who is a GP, and my sister who is in the industry, recommended it.

When did you make this decision?

I was a dispenser, and wanted to do something more challenging. I had worked up to the highest level, and could not do anymore.

What qualifications and experience did you have when you entered the industry?

I studied Pharmacy at Liverpool, but did not complete my degree. It was quite tough to get a job as a medical rep, as degree was something you really needed. The route I took was very unusual.

Do you work mostly on your own or as part of a team?

Daily I work on my own, but all our business plans etc are done as a team, so we meet regularly to discuss what in happening in the area.

What is it like socially where you work?

We do work some evenings, and so do not regularly go out as a team. However every few months we do get together and go out socially.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I was a finalist this year at the rep of the year awards.

What possibilities are there for your career in the future?

There are many possibilities, from becoming a manager, going into training, marketing and many more.

What do you think are the most important skills for someone in your role to have?

The three most important skills are:

  • Communication
  • People skills
  • Organisational skills

What one piece of advice would you give to someone seeking a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

The pharmaceutical industry is a tough, but rewarding industry and the one piece of advice I would give is that to be successful you have to be a very personable and highly motivated individual.

Case studies

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Analytical Chemist (Discovery)
  • Animal Technologist
  • Apprentice - Higher Laboratory Scientist
  • Biologist (biomarkers)
  • Biologist (DPMK)
  • Biologist (imaging)
  • BioPharmaceutical Scientist
  • Biostatistics Manager
  • Business Engagement Director
  • Chemical Biologist
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemist (manufacturing)
  • Chemist (process)
  • Chemistry (discovery)
  • Chemistry Outsourcing Manager and Synthetic Chemist
  • Clinical Data Manager
  • Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor
  • Clinical Research Analyst
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Clinical Research Manager
  • Clinical Research Project Manager
  • Clinical Safety Scientist
  • Clinical Safety Scientist 2
  • Clinical Scientist
  • Clinical trials supplies
  • Commercial Account Manager
  • Commercial Director
  • Compliance Director
  • Contract Manager
  • Data Sciences Manager
  • Director Medical Affairs
  • Drug Safety Associate – Video
  • Drug Safety Officer
  • Epidemiologist
  • Executive Sales Representative
  • Geneticist
  • Graduate Trainee Biologist
  • Graduate Trainee Chemist
  • Graduate Trainee In Vivo Scientist
  • Head of Drug Safety and Local Safety Officer
  • Head of Health Economics
  • Head of Market Access
  • Healthcare Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemist)
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemistry)
  • Industrial Placement (Regulatory Policy)
  • Industrial Placement Biologist
  • Industrial Placement Chemist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist - Respiratory
  • Industrial placement student – biologist
  • Industry Accountant
  • IT Project Manager
  • Laboratory Technician (biology)
  • Laboratory Technician (chemistry)
  • Lean Coach
  • Learning and Development Business Practice Lead
  • Legal Coordinator
  • Manufacturing Operative
  • Market Access Director
  • Mathematical Modeller
  • Medical department intern
  • Medical Director and Managing Director UK & Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Republic of Ireland
  • Medical Information Scientist
  • Medical Physicist
  • Medical Writer
  • Medical writer (freelance)
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Medicinal Chemistry Director
  • Occupational Health Manager
  • Patent Attorney
  • Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Technologist
  • Pharmacist (formulation)
  • Pharmacist (pre-registration)
  • Pharmacokineticist (DMPK) – Video
  • Pharmacologist
  • Pharmacovigilance Scientist
  • Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Production Coordinator
  • Project Manager / Director
  • Public Relations Executive
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  • Regulatory Affairs Executive
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  • Research Scientist – Video
  • Sales Representative
  • Scientific Affairs Manager (Nutrition)
  • Senior statistician
  • Specialist Medical Representative
  • Statistician
  • Summer placement student
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Toxicologist
  • Toxicologist (Contract Research)
  • Toxicology Study Director
  • Training Director
  • Training Instructor
  • UK and Ireland Medical Director
  • Veterinary Surgeon

ABPI

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 
(registered number 09826787) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside,105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
Telephone +44 (0) 207 9303477

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Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of ABPI which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 09826787) with its registered office at 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT.

Office of Health Economics (OHE)

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 09848965) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. OHE provides independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors.