The Responsibilities Of A Medical Representative
The responsibilities of a medical representative
Medical representatives play a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare profession. Their primary responsibility is to promote their company's products to general practitioners and other healthcare providers. These promotions take place during face-to-face meetings and medical conventions. Medical representatives typically work within specific territories, and sometimes multiple representatives cover the same area. As of May 2008, the average annual salary for medical representatives was USD 70,200.
Meetings with clients
Medical representatives start by scheduling appointments and then meeting with surgeons, doctors, and other healthcare professionals either in their offices or at hospitals. During these meetings, they provide information about the products they represent, highlighting their unique characteristics. Representatives also address any questions or concerns the professionals may have. The main objective of a medical representative is to generate interest in the product and facilitate its purchase.
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Assistance to fairs and conventions
In addition to one-on-one meetings, medical representatives also promote pharmaceutical products at various fairs and conventions. These events provide opportunities for representatives to network with other industry professionals and discuss product developments. At these gatherings, they gain insights into new products that can be offered to healthcare professionals. Conversations may also revolve around the firm's sales performance, sales goals, and profits. Some conventions may attract healthcare professionals interested in learning about the latest pharmaceutical products, and medical representatives play a key role in explaining and demonstrating these products to attendees.
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Administrative responsibilities
Medical representatives' roles extend beyond sales. They are responsible for analyzing sales statistics, preparing sales reports, and presenting these reports along with expense accounts. Additionally, they manage appointment schedules, communicate with customers over the phone, and arrange travel plans. Other duties include staying informed about new and existing pharmaceutical products and monitoring the sales, prices, and products offered by competitors.
Collaboration with technical experts
For those new to the field or less familiar with specific products, working with a technical expert is common. These experts attend sales presentations with medical representatives to provide in-depth product explanations and address technical questions. In such cases, the representative's role includes initiating contact with the customer, introducing the product, and closing the sale. As representatives gain experience, they may become proficient enough to independently explain their company's products without relying on technical experts.
