Medical Representative- The Fulcrum of the Company'

I am a second-generation Pharmaceutical employee, because of my father. He worked in an Indian Company which is now more than 150 years old for 42 years ( Can anybody Imagine now?.) My father was a Medical Representative for 35 years and the company could not terminate him (Joking) because he was doing the so called "Targets" month after month, but will not go to the field. The Doctor's and the stockist's use to come to our home those days. A doctor would ask for a course of Antibiotic (Cephalexin) which was considered as the ultimate in community acquired infection and he would give 2 strips of 2 capsules and ask the Doctor to buy the rest from the medical shop. I do not now it was his arrogance, or it was the way the Doctor's respected him those days. The company promoted him as Sales Manger in it's Kochi Depot and he continued to work for another 7 years. He was handling the entire state of Kerala, the M.R's, Managers and even in the month end he was asked to call the stockist's through out Kerala to get extra orders. All respected him because of his Knowledge , seniority and Wisdom.  

I joined as a Medical Representative in an Multi National Company. I worked as a M.R for 12 years, because those days there was very minimal promotions. Infact, I use to joke, to get promoted you need to pray to God that either your manager die in an accident (Bad Joke) or he had to be fired, which was neither happening. I am 57 years old now and my experience is my age. My father,  is still rollicking and enjoying at 86 years    ( Touch wood). I remember a time when he used to go to Baroda for the Annual meeting, he would draw the outline of our foot. We use to eagerly wait for his return and we use to get the best "Quowadies" chappals, like the king's used to wear. The world is so small. I have joined a Baroda based company, as GM (SALES & MARKETING), a company with high standards.asserting to be a leader & innovator in Formulation, Production & Marketing of high-quality specialty injectables to Hospitals & Healthcare Institutions across India through a qualified team of medical sales professionals.

I can touch my heart that even today, a MEDICAL REPRESENTATIVE can be the face of the company, but unfortunately, the standards are coming down and the youngsters are taking this job by default and not by choice. In my initial training an American who was the trainer asked the entire class to explain the role of a Medical Representative and my answer was,

A Med Rep Talks like a parrot, (Because he is taught the detailing by Marketing and he had to just replicate)

A Med Rep acts like a clown, (Because he has to act and interact with the Doctor with his gestures and Gesticulations)

And a Med Rep dresses like a model. (Because it was considered a White collar job long back and now the standards have come down)

But still, I bow down to the job of a Medical Representative and give the M.R a big RED SALUTE.