Pharmaceutical Sales

Research Companies

Research pharmaceutical and biotech companies online. View the employer profile by selecting a company below:

Company Name Abbott Laboratories Alcon Inc. Allergan Inc. Astellas Pharma US, Inc. AstraZeneca Biogen Idec Inc. Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Chiron Corp. CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals DEY, L.P. Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Genentech Inc. Gilead Sciences Inc. GlaxoSmithKline Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. IVAX Corp. Eli Lilly & Co. Merck & Co. Inc. Millennium Pharmaceuticals Novartis AG Onyx Pharmaceuticals PDI, Inc. Pfizer Inc. Sanofi-aventis Schering-Plough Corp. Wyeth

Pharmaceutical Industry Snapshot

The pharmaceutical industry, despite the soft US economy, has continued to grow, although at a somewhat restrained pace. Worldwide sales of prescription and over-the-counter drugs will exceed some $300 billion, with the US accounting for more half of that figure. However, the industry is facing some challenges as it heads deeper into the new millennium.

Many of the blockbuster drugs that powered the industry in the last decade are facing the expiration of their patent protection. Eli Lilly's ubiquitous anti-depressant, Prozac, and AstraZeneca's Prilosec, for the treatment of ulcers, are examples. This problem is compounded by what some industry analysts are calling a soft pipeline in the next few years. As the blockbusters go off patent, there are few similar success stories waiting in the wings.

The political climate may be working against the industry as well. Some states, such as Florida and Michigan, are looking to cut the prescription drug costs associated with programs such as Medicaid legislatively. The industry's lobbying arm has already challenged these measures in court, but as more states feel the recessionary crunch, they will also push for these programs. Some companies, in an effort to stave off government intervention, are already offering prescription discount cards for low-income senior citizens. This is crucial as the world's elderly population is increasing steadily, as drugs allow more people to live longer. People over the age of 65, which consume three times as many drugs than their younger counterparts, will number over 650 million by 2025.

The pharmaceutical industry employs many types of scientists, naturally, but also lawyers, advertisers and marketers, event planners, medical writers, educators, sales representatives, engineers, computer programmers, financial analysts and regulatory specialists, plus an army of administrative staff. In large pharmaceutical firms the opportunity exists to work at many locations around the United States and internationally, particularly in Western Europe.

Pharma comprises a very educated workforce. Jobseekers must bear in mind that in this highly degreed arena, especially in the scientific departments, a B.S. or even an M.S. will only take you so far. A doctorate may be necessary for the employee who wants to rise all the way to the top of the organization.

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