Natural Selection at work in the Marketplace

(I didn’t realize just how prevalent the “closed door” policy was becoming for pharma reps in some areas!)

From CNNMoney.com – an article entitled Pity the poor pharmaceutical sales rep

It’s hard out there for drug sales reps–particularly if they work in places where gaining access to doctors is becoming increasingly difficult…”We weren’t allowed to leave samples: not tissue boxes or anything,” said Abrahamsen, speaking at iiBig conference in Atlantic City, N.J. late last month “We weren’t allowed past the receptionist.”

Such “closed door” policies are now common around the country, especially in Washington, Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to anecdotal evidence from drug sales reps and medical groups.

The backlash–fueled in part by double-digit increases in advertising spending by Big Pharma–is turning the industry on its head. Sales reps are facing massive layoffs and falling incomes as commissions drop. Drug companies, meanwhile, are scrambling to come up with new ways to get their medications in front of the doctors who would prescribe them. (more…)