Why Leave Pharmaceutical Sales For Device Sales?

If someone were to ask me, “Why leave pharmaceutical sales for device sales?” my given answer is going to be a mix of personal and strategic reason, but the former carries more weight, definitely. Why?

First, when I accept ‘voluntary separation scheme’ (VSS) offer from the Giant Pharmaceutical Company, at that time, I vowed not to come back to pharma, unless I was taken at gun point. I hate the fact that the current industry situation in our local scene is filled with bias and ‘pea brain’ upper management!

I would not come back unless it changes, which looking back, make me feel silly because the thing is, situation could not change by itself. It needs outside force, like a fighting spirit from dejected person, like me…

Secondly, I want to do something new, something which I had no experience before, and it will serve me in making my resume looks damn good! And I did not have pharmaceutical on my list of possible next career in sales.

But resume is a strategic reason.

Other strategic reason includes long term growth of diagnostic industry.

After making some simple observation of the trend for healthcare industry, I have come to the conclusion that the future of it is in the area of diagnosis. I mean, how much can a pharmaceutical company grow after a drug exclusive patent expired? When generics companies start making their way into the market, how long can it survive?

Things look gloomy to me and that prompts me to choose diagnostic, as strategic move.

But boy! Was I in for a surprise…

You see, what I ‘failed’ to track is the pattern of diagnostics market in this region. Since I know better know, maybe I should have look deeper and read beyond the financial goons report figures. I should have known better that there is high probability that these reports and figures are made by people with high commercial interest.

In other words, they are made by liars!

YES! Numbers do not lie but liars make number. I have said it myself countless times but I overlooked it in this instance, and now, look at what it has cost me. But it has served as good lesson to me; next time, come up with my own tracking metrics.

What Would I Advice People Who Is Thinking About Changing To Diagnostics?

Think.

And think again.

In fact, the more you can think about every angle of the possible motive and consequences, the better your decision will be.

But of course, if you knew everything, that will be a bloody conclusion, not decision. There is part which you will not know for as long as you live and you need to go ahead and make the call.

You got to live with the fact that your life, at times, is shaped by the question you ask, as much as the question you FAILED to ask. Suck it up and move on. What did not kill you will make you strong.

But my personal recommendation as of TODAY is: HOLD your ground and look for opportunities in the same industry. Growth in diagnostics is not an empty promise, I give them that, but it would not happen as fast as you want it to be.

Most customers still using the same analyzer they used four or five years ago, and they probably upgrade to the same brand in a heart beat. Changing the mindset of users in the biggest and most profitable segment of the market, the Government Hospitals, is filled with too many drama and bureaucracy.

When it comes to this stage, and probably it will stay for the next 5 or 10 years, or so, I imagine only those who are ready to sell their soul for the devils to bring home the money sack, will survive.

Why leave pharmaceutical sales for device sales? I will answer, “Why even bother?” and that is it for now, honest to goodness. Will this change? Perhaps, but you got to wait for that.