Are Big Companies Lowering Standards by Hiring Underqualified Medical Representatives?

Hi, I need some clarification, views, and suggestions regarding Medical Representatives in big cities like Chennai, Bangalore, etc. In the early days, the M.R. profession had some good respect because they were appointed based on qualifications and performance. During that time, the qualifications were fixed as a Science Graduate or a degree or diploma in Pharmacy Science. Nowadays, when we see some Medical Representatives even from big companies like German Remedies, Pfizer, Dr. Reddy's Lab, Sabinsa, Sami Lab, etc., many people are underqualified or unfit for the job altogether. Their pronunciation of medicine names reveals their lack of proper qualifications.

Recently, I have observed many individuals who worked as M.R.s with backgrounds in Commerce, SSLC (Passed/Failed), PUC, and +2 completions. They struggle to pronounce medicine names and understand compound medicines. I believe these big companies are recruiting such individuals due to the low salaries they accept, typically working for 10k to 15k. These companies should consider their standards and reputation in the pharmacy market, as they risk tarnishing their own names. The Medical Representative profession holds its own value, irrespective of whether these big companies uphold the profession and its values.

Dear friend, your grievance is about the dilution of recruitment standards when hiring Medical Representatives (MRs). You mention that even prominent figures in the pharmaceutical industry engage in this practice. However, the crux of the matter lies in the freedom to establish recruitment standards. Whether it is a large or small company, there is no legal issue as long as they adhere to paying minimum wages.

Compromise in Standards

The compromise in standards primarily stems from the lack of suitably skilled manpower. Companies could invest in training or grooming raw talent. Nevertheless, after the training, newly recruited employees often depart, leaving pharmaceutical companies in a lurch.

Evolving Preferences of the Younger Generation

Another factor contributing to the dearth of suitable manpower in pharmaceutical companies is the evolving preferences of the younger generation, favoring sedentary roles over field jobs. Medical Representatives in pharmaceutical companies endure various weather conditions and demanding fieldwork, requiring constant alertness. On the other hand, there is a plethora of office-based jobs available, offering a comfortable, air-conditioned environment. Despite the shift in job preferences among the youth, pharmaceutical companies must sustain their operations.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar