Pharmaceutical sales reps, also referred to as drug reps, provide drug product samples and information to doctors. Some pharmaceutical sales representatives also monitor the drug prescribing history and patterns of doctors within their assigned geographic territory. Besides physicians, drug reps may work with pharmacists, patient advocacy groups, hospital staff, and retirement and nursing homes.

Pharmaceutical sales reps may often specialize in a certain drug category or class of drugs. For instance, a drug rep who specializes in selling a drug to treat heartburn will most likely work with gastroenterologists.



Although the educational requirements vary, most pharmaceutical companies prefer to hire drug reps that have at least a bachelors degree. Most pharmaceutical companies more than welcome a graduate degree or extended pharmacology coursework.



Since pharmaceutical reps meet with physicians on a routine basis, they need to be articulate, professional, and polished. Drug reps must digest a vast amount of medical terminology, organize a large geographic location, and manage time effectively.



In many cases, a pharmaceutical drug rep works out of a company car or home office; although they are usually required to check into a local or regional office weekly or monthly. Drug reps must be comfortable spending a good deal of their day traveling in a car.