Pharma is short for the pharmaceutical industry. This industry develops, produces and provides medicines, vaccines and medical equipment for medicating patients.
Inside this industry, a lot of business owners and professionals are working together for curing diseases.
From doctors to the lab technician, from retail medical stores to manufacturers everyone is contributing towards the goal of healthy human beings as well as animals.
The Pharmaceutical industry is one of the major global industries. The Indian pharma industry is one of the major contributors.
Here in the pharma category, we are going to share different aspects of this industry.
From job and career to marketing strategies, from benefits of pharmaceuticals drugs to side effects of medicines and much more.
Hence please visit regularly and subscribe so that you can get the information we are going to post in this category.
Nafithromycin stands out as a groundbreaking achievement in India’s pharmaceutical landscape, being one of the first antibiotics developed within the country. As a member of the macrolide antibiotic class, it has demonstrated significant potential in combating various bacterial infections.
This milestone underscores India’s advancing capabilities in pharmaceutical research and development and plays a vital role in the global battle against antibiotic resistance. By fostering the creation of homegrown antibiotics like Nafithromycin, we can ensure a reliable supply of effective treatments while decreasing dependency on imports, ultimately enhancing public health and safety.
Nafithromycin the Answer to Antibiotic Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance has long been a significant global issue, with pharmaceutical companies working diligently to develop new medicines to combat it worldwide. After years of facing challenges and putting in relentless effort, a breakthrough has finally been achieved. After three decades of research and hard work, India has pioneered the creation of Nafithromycin, the country’s first indigenous macrolide antibiotic. This significant achievement represents a crucial moment in the battle against antimicrobial resistance, highlighting India’s enhanced capabilities in pharmaceutical innovation.
What is Antimicrobial resistance?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites evolve to resist the effects of medications designed to kill or inhibit them, such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics. This makes standard treatments ineffective, leading to persistent infections and increasing the risk of spread, severe illness, and death.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process caused by genetic changes in pathogens over time. However, human activities significantly accelerate its spread, especially the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, resulting in approximately 600,000 deaths in India annually due to resistant infections.
Nafithromycin is ten times more effective than Azithromycin
Nafithromycin is a ten times more effective antibiotic than current treatments like Azithromycin and provides a three-day treatment regimen. Thus it significantly shortens the recovery time while improving patient outcomes.
Nafithromycin is intended to treat both typical and atypical drug-resistant bacteria. Thus making it an essential tool in combating the global health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It offers enhanced safety, minimal side effects, and no major drug interactions.
Nafithromycin marks a historic milestone as the first new antibiotic in its class introduced globally in over 30 years. The drug has undergone extensive clinical trials in the U.S., Europe, and India.
Breaking Barriers: The Story Behind Nafithromycin, India’s First Antibiotic
Developing new antimicrobials is challenging, time-consuming, and often not financially viable for pharmaceutical companies. As resistance grows, our arsenal of effective drugs is shrinking.
Nafithromycin has been developed with an investment of ₹500 crores. It has been developed by Wockhardt with support from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council.
Nafithromycin was officially launched by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on November 20, 2024. Nafithromycin is sold under the brand name “Miqnaf”. Furthermore, it targets community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) caused by drug-resistant bacteria. Moreover, drug resistance disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including children, older people, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Besides developing Nafithromycin, the Government of India has undertaken significant actions to fight Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) through various strategic initiatives focused on surveillance, awareness, and collaboration. These initiatives aim to strengthen AMR containment, enhance infection control, and promote global cooperation.
Combination medicine combines two or more salts into single-dose tablets or capsules. They are also called as fixed-dose combination drugs. Now the government has taken steps to ban combination medicine. Furthermore, the Government of India has banned 156 medicines. These include especially skin care, pain relievers, multivitamins and other medicines.
Generally, these medicines are found in homes. According to the government notification, these medicines can threaten humans. Safer alternatives are available, hence a ban on their production, sale, distribution and use is necessary. Furthermore, the committee of experts formed by the government found these medicines unsuitable. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board also stated that there is no medical justification for combining these medicines after testing the combination medicine.
Why combination medicine is harmful
Combination medicine, which contains two or more active ingredients in a single dosage form, can be harmful in certain circumstances due to several factors:
Increased Risk of Side Effects: Since combination medicines contain multiple active ingredients, the risk of side effects or adverse reactions may increase. If a person is sensitive to one component, they may still experience unwanted effects even if the other component is necessary.
Difficulty in Adjusting Dosages: With combination medicines, it can be difficult to tailor the dosage of each active ingredient to meet individual patient needs. If a patient requires a higher or lower dose of one component, they may end up taking too much or too little of the other, leading to inefficacy or toxicity.
Drug Interactions: The combination of different drugs can lead to unintended interactions between the ingredients themselves or with other medications the patient is taking. Moreover, this can enhance toxicity, reduce efficacy, or cause unpredictable reactions.
Allergic Reactions: If a person is allergic to one of the components, they might still be exposed to it, even though they need the other component of the medication. This can lead to allergic reactions, which could be severe.
Masking of Symptoms: Combination drugs may mask certain symptoms, which could delay diagnosis or proper treatment. For example, a combination drug for pain and inflammation might reduce pain but also hide an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
Another reason for the ban
Overuse or Misuse: People might unintentionally overdose on one of the components of a combination drug if they are also taking another medication that contains the same ingredient. For example, taking a cold medicine and a painkiller that both contain acetaminophen could lead to an overdose of acetaminophen.
While combination medicines can be convenient and effective when prescribed properly, they do come with risks that need to be carefully considered by healthcare providers.
Pharmaceutical company’s reaction to the ban
Although pharmaceutical companies have already stopped producing some of the drugs included in the banned list. The pharmaceutical industry is currently analyzing what will be the economic impact of the ban. Moreover, companies like Cipla, Torrent, Sun Pharma, IPCA Lab and Lupine say this will affect their products.
The government had announced a ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of 344 FDCs in 2016. As a result, the pharmaceutical companies in the court challenged this decision. However, 14 combination medicines were already banned in June 2023. Now the government has banned 153 medicines.
Combination medicine banned list
The drugs banned include the combination of the antibiotic azithromycin with adapalene, which is used to treat acne. At the same time, Aceclofenac 50mg Paracetamol 125 mg tablets have been banned. Above all, it is one of the popular combinations of pain relief medicines manufactured by top pharma companies. Furthermore, other drugs including combinations of paracetamol, tramadol, taurine and caffeine are banned. Here is the combination medicine banned list.
Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited whose operation was closed in 2016 will start again. Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited is established in the Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI) at Jaipur. This is the only government pharmaceutical company in Rajasthan.
The process of restarting the Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, established in the Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI) of the capital and closed for eight years, has been expedited. Recently, in the company’s board meeting, the state medical and health department instructed the company Hindustan Antibiotic Limited (HAL) to prepare a detailed development project report (DPR) within a month. After this, top officials of the department have also visited the company. HAL’s technical team was also present during this period.
This is the only government pharmaceutical company in the state. Earlier it was run based on a joint venture between the Government of India and the State Government in a partnership ratio of 51:49. But in the year 2016, the production in this company stopped, which has not been started till date. The high-level machinery in the company is still intact. In which some are in working condition, some are dilapidated and some are completely packed.
Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited is capable of producing multiple drugs
After restarting the company, self-reliance in terms of the availability of medicines of Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation, operated under the Medical and Health Department, will increase. The company has a high level of testing laboratory capacity for ORS, cough syrups and seasonal and other medicines including swine flu. Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited was registered in November 1978 and was established in July 1979. Its production has been going on since 1981, which stopped in the year 2016.
The company was profitable till the year 2014
On December 28, 2016, the Central Cabinet had decided to close this company. It was decided to repay the liabilities by selling all the movable and immovable assets of the company. At that time, out of 126 employees and officers, 101 were given voluntary retirement but 25 employees did not accept it. The company continued to earn profits until 2014. In the year 2011, 455 employees and officers were employed in the company. During the last government, the Cabinet had also approved to start it.
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The role of pharmacists in pharma marketing is a pillar of the pharma industry. Pharmacists play a critical role in pharmaceutical marketing.
I remember when I was a Medical Representative a pharmacist was insisting on providing free samples to him to gain more sales from his counter. As the samples were for physicians I refused to give them to him. Anyhow I was able to make him my friend and thus got full support.
Hence the role of pharmacists is very important in pharma marketing for selling your products through prescriptions and recommending your products to other customers.
They are the primary point of contact for patients buying medicines on their prescriptions, and pharmacists have the opportunity to educate patients about new drugs and their side effects.
Pharmacists can also provide valuable insights to pharmaceutical companies about patient needs and preferences.
Here are some of the roles of pharmacists in pharmaceutical marketing:
Pharmacists role to educate patients about new drugs.
Pharmacists can provide patients with information about the benefits, risks, and side effects of new drugs. They give information about the dosages. They can also answer questions about how to take the drugs and what to do if they experience side effects.
Hence pharma marketers should provide information about the medicine and especially about new drugs.
Identifying barriers to medication adherence.
Pharmacists can help patients identify and overcome barriers to medication adherence, such as cost, forgetfulness, or difficulty understanding the instructions. Usually, they stick stickers of instructions for dosages on the strips and bottles. Thus they help the patient which in turn grows the patient faith in the pharmacists and pharma companies.
Hence the pharma marketer should communicate with the pharmacist about the difficulties they are facing and convince them by providing solutions.
Providing patient feedback to pharmaceutical companies.
Pharmacists can provide pharmaceutical companies with valuable feedback about patient needs and preferences.
This feedback can help companies develop new drugs and marketing strategies that are more effective.
In addition to these direct marketing activities, pharmacists can also help to promote pharmaceutical products indirectly. They can also promote OTC and generic products of pharmaceutical companies.
For example, they can display promotional materials in their pharmacies, or they can participate in educational events about new drugs.
Conclusion
Overall, pharmacists play a vital role in pharmaceutical marketing. They are well-positioned to educate patients about new drugs, identify barriers to medication adherence, and provide feedback to pharmaceutical companies. They can also generate extra sales for a pharma company.
By working together, pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies can help patients get the most out of their medications. It is better to make a friendly relationship with the pharmacists for the growth of your company.
Thus the role of pharmacists in pharma marketing is important and a marketer should consider pharmacists in their planning.
The skills required for pharma marketing are constantly evolving and provide the best career opportunities in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This industry is growing hence there will always be a need for skilled marketing professionals.
These skills are important since it helps you in your career growth through your job performance, and communication with your seniors, colleagues and your clients.
Some of the most important skills include:
Project planning and management:
Various projects are regularly going on in the pharmaceutical industry. It may be a new formulation or a different drug delivery system. These innovations help to grow the industries as well as beneficial for patients.
Acquiring complete knowledge of the project, making the plan and managing it properly makes the project successful.
Pharmaceutical marketing campaigns can be complex and require careful planning. Marketers need to be able to identify the capacity of the drug manufacturer, the target audience, develop the marketing message, and select the right channels to reach the targeted audience.
Problem-solving:
Pharmaceutical marketing is constantly evolving, and marketers need to be able to adapt to change. They need to be able to identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently.
It requires your decision-making ability and also the ability to analyse and evaluate the situation and take action appropriately.
Communication skills for pharma marketing:
Pharmaceutical marketers need to be able to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, including doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. They need to be able to explain complex medical concepts clearly and concisely. Communication skills are a must for pharma marketing.
Specialization skills for pharma marketing:
Pharmaceutical marketing is a specialized field, and marketers need to have a deep understanding of the industry. They need to know the latest trends, regulations, and technologies.
Apart from marketing knowledge you also need knowledge of pharmaceutics, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology of the human body. This will help you in communicating medical terminology with ease.
Good initiative:
Pharmaceutical marketers need to be able to take initiative and work independently. They need to be able to identify opportunities and develop creative marketing strategies.
Managerial skills for Pharma Marketing:
Pharmaceutical marketers often need to manage projects and budgets. They need to be able to delegate tasks, track progress, and make necessary adjustments.
Business awareness:
Pharmaceutical marketers need to have a strong understanding of the business world. They need to know how to develop and execute marketing strategies that meet the company’s goals.
Attentiveness skills for pharma marketing:
Pharmaceutical marketers need to be attentive to the needs of their target audience. They need to be able to identify and respond to changes in the market.
Regulations:
Pharmaceutical marketing is highly regulated, so marketers need to be familiar with the latest regulations. They need to ensure that their marketing materials are compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
Ethics:
Pharmaceutical marketing is a highly ethical field, so marketers need to be aware of the ethical considerations involved in marketing pharmaceutical products. They need to ensure that their marketing materials are truthful and accurate and that they do not make any misleading claims.
How to Succeed in Pharma Marketing
If you are interested in a career in pharma marketing, you should have a strong academic background in pharmacy, marketing, business, or a related field. You should also have experience in writing, communication, and project management. You should also be able to work independently and as part of a team.
Here are some additional tips for success in pharma marketing:
Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and regulations.
The pharmaceutical industry is constantly changing, so it is important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and regulations. You can do this by reading industry publications, attending industry events, and networking with other professionals in the field.
Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders.
To be successful in pharma marketing, you need to develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. These relationships will help you to understand the needs of your target audience and develop effective marketing campaigns.
Be creative and innovative.
The pharmaceutical industry is a highly competitive market, so it is important to be creative and innovative in your marketing strategies. You need to find ways to stand out from the competition and reach your target audience in a meaningful way.
Be passionate about the industry.
Finally, it is important to be passionate about the pharmaceutical industry if you want to be successful in pharma marketing. This passion will show through your work and help you to connect with your target audience.
Conclusion
Skills are important to build your expertise in the pharmaceutical industry and for your career growth. You may or may not have some skills but if you are eager to develop your abilities you can very well succeed in your life. Hence develop important skills for pharma marketing and make your career in the pharma industry.
Do you want to become a Medical Representative in India or looking for a career opportunity then this is the right page to know all about the Medical Representative job.
Before proceeding further, let me introduce myself to you so that you can understand how I’m able to give you exact information.
I was in the Pharmaceuticals industry for around 40 years and started my career as a Medical Representative and then as a Manager and then as pharma manufacturer, distributor and retailer.
What is a Medical Representative?
A Medical Representative represent a pharmaceutical company and provides information about the medicine of their company to doctors and pharma trade in return gain sales from them.
Medical Representative is a reputed profession and a handsomely paid job.
If you are willing to travel, like to face challenges, can speak fluently and convince others, inclination towards a sales career then you can be considered to be suitable for the job provided you fulfil other required eligibility for the job like qualification.
Qualifications for Medical Representative
Most companies prefer a Diploma in Pharmacy or Science graduate because it helps them to understand the initial knowledge of anatomy, physiology & pharmacology, MBA is an additional advantage that helps to develop business.
Another basic requirement is to have a two-wheeler as it facilitates reaching the desired multiple destinations with ease.
Despite the advancement of the latest technology, MR jobs will always be in demand to promote face-to-face products, which might be Medical Equipment, Biochemistry…
Medical representative salaries
Although there are no fixed norms regarding salaries for Medical Representatives and it depends upon the qualification, capabilities and varies from company to company.
Multinational companies’ salaries for Medical representatives starting range is Rs2.4 lakhs/year to Rs4lakhs/year
Indian companies starting range is between Rs1.5-3 lakhs/year.
Apart from the salaries, Medical Representatives are getting daily allowances, travel allowances and other emoluments.
On achieving targets Medical Representatives can also earn incentives on overall sales, product incentives, and a group of product incentives to boost their morals to achieve more. You can also be promoted to Manager and senior marketing manager.
Where to search for a job as a Medical Representative:
You may search for the job by various methods
1– Newspaper ads
2– Info from the pharmaceutical wholesalers of your city.
3– Online job sites like Indeed, Naukri.com, Shine, Monster…
4– Your contact with MR and Managers.
How to Apply for the job?
FIRST IMPRESSION IS VERY IMPORTANT
Your application should be impressive mentioning your strong points.
Your application must show the willingness to prove your candidature of becoming a Medical Representative.
Make assurance for living no stone unturned.
Lastly, show your confidence in the repute of the company and yourself for a favourable response at your address, telephone and email address.
Your resume should be in detail to give a clear hint about the person you are.
1 — YOUR’S FULL NAME
2– FATHER’S NAME
3 — DATE OF BIRTH
4 — ADDRESS
5 — PERSONAL DETAILS
Martial status
Height
Weight
6– QUALIFICATION
Details of secondary school examination
Details of degrees you have gained
7 — EXPERIENCE:
Specify your achievements with the details of the experience you have gained.
8 — EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
9 — YOUR PLUS POINT
10 — YOUR DRAWBACKS
11 — AVAILABILITY
When can you join the job if selected
12 — DATE & PLACE
Where to apply for a job as a Medical Representative :
In India, thousands of pharmaceutical companies need Medical Representatives at various district headquarters.
You can apply on the company’s websites, online jobs websites or apply directly through the concerned Managers.
Top companies prefer freshers or with few month’s experience
These companies are well established which facilitates a representative to get acceptance in the market.
Glaxo, Pfizer, Hochest, Abbot, Sun Pharmaceutical, Lupin, Dr Reddy’s Lab, Cipla, Wockhardt, Ranbaxy, Cadila, Roche, Merk, Bayer, Mankind… and many more are the best and preferable companies.
You can’t wait for only these companies for a long time hence join the first opportunity you get & continue work along with the effort to look for options.
You may also apply in
GENERIC COMPANIES:
Many companies promote their generic product (medicine with salt names ) through wholesalers and retailers are doing very well business.
They also require representatives to promote the products to wholesalers and retailers. You can gain this opportunity and become a Representative of a Generic Pharma company.
OTC COMPANIES:
Lots of pharma co. are nowadays shifting their few products to sell on the counter.
Due to the increase in demand by the customers by advertisement and popularity of the product.
For example, Win Medicare, Mankind Pharma, P&G, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, and Dabur are doing very well business in the OTC trade.
You can be part of it and provide your services to an OTC company.
MEDICAL DEVICE/EQUIPMENT CO.:
As equipment plays, an important role in the diagnosis of disease, which is increasing day by day creates the need for a Representative to fulfil the requirement.
How to prepare yourself for an interview:
Lots of companies nowadays conduct open interviews.
You can directly participate in it.
PREPARATION FOR INTERVIEW
1- Get all your documents ready along with your resume
2- Groom yourself with a proper haircut and shaving. I suggest wearing a tie with a proper knot.
3- Reach before the scheduled time.
4- Don’t get nervous
5- Maintain your presence of mind.
6- Behave properly with etiquette and manners.
SUM UP
Medical Representative job is a prestigious profession along with handsome emoluments and interaction with reputed people. You have to maintain decorum through your pleasant personality and behaviour.
Pharma marketing and selling is the marketing of pharma products, branded medicines, generic medicines, OTC products, and medical equipment.
In this competitive phase in the pharma market, it is difficult for a new company to develop its brands and gain major market share.
Here I will provide the different strategies which can be implemented by a new pharma company or those who are planning to build a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit.
TRADITIONAL WAY
The traditional way of marketing pharma products is to recruit Medical Representatives, Managers of the state, develop the distribution network, contact Doctors through the field staff, generate prescriptions from doctors, and fulfil the demand through retailers by supplying to them from the distributor.
This type of marketing strategy is been used for many years successfully.
When I joined as Medical Representative in 1980 only a few pharma companies were in the market and most of the doctors were not visited by MR.
The sales were automatically generated since most of the doctors were following the prescriptions of established senior doctors from whom we were generating sales.
At that time the literature of product information, few samples, small gifts, and visits were enough for a doctor to get prescriptions.
Here I would like to add that during those days many research products, new combination drugs, and new drug delivery system was developing and coming into the market with very low competition.
With the change of time and increasing competition between the pharma companies coming with the same molecules, the field staff started corrupting doctors instead of convincing them later on the companies were also involved in it.
Still, it’s the best strategy if you are ready to invest in marketing for a long time with some unique ideas.
The best example is Mankind Pharma which has grown fast by implementing aggressive marketing and low price of the products.
GENERIC PHARMA MARKETING
The market for generic products is developing fast.
You can start marketing your products by just appointing one or two field staff in a state.
Your field staff along with the distribution network can develop your market by selling your products at a generic price.
You have to pay attention to your price list, fast-running salts which a retailer can easily sell on the counter. The general practitioner can also be your targeted customers.
OTC MARKETING
Many established brands are now promoted through print and Tv media to boost their sales.
Many other non-prescription products can also be promoted through print media, Tv channels, field staff, promotional materials, promotional canopy, trade centres, and trade fairs.
To establish the brand you have to be prepared for the advertising budget.
I know this budget is much more than the production cost of the product but it also increases the brand value.
Remember KESH KING oil, Zandu Balm is been purchased by Emami at very high prices.
FRANCHISE MARKETING
Marketing through the franchisors by giving them permission for marketing in a selected area.
The franchisor may be a pharma distributor, an ex-Medical representative, or an ex-Manager.
You can also select some NGOs that are working in the medical field having good contacts with doctors.
You have to provide only a few promotional pieces of literature, visual aid, a detailing bag, and a few small gifts.
All other marketing expenses have been beer by the franchisor within the fixed margin(app. 40-60%) on the purchase provided by you.
You can provide incentives with rewards to develop sales in their areas.
TELEMARKETING
You might be astonished at how a pharma product can be sold by telemarketing.
It’s marketing to generate leads from the pharma distributors for particular products.
It requires 20-30 cold calls every day to pharma distributors. Phone numbers are easily available on the internet, yellow pages…
There are thousands of pharma distributors who are looking for a unique brand for a monopoly to avoid competition.
They can set up your brand in their areas and can get benefits.
You have to develop trust with them to retain their monopoly and regularly feed their demand for the products.
This is beneficial for the companies as well as the distributors.
ONLINE PHARMA MARKETING
Although it’s not new a few companies worldwide are doing online marketing for products related to healthcare. Examples are the few banners above in this post.
Still, in India and worldwide, a lot of scopes exist. As the urban population’s awareness regarding healthcare and online purchasing habits is increasing daily.
It doesn’t require much time to create a site. However, a lot of effort is required to develop and increase online sales.
For online marketing
1 You have to choose certain healthcare OTC products like skincare, anti-ageing, ayurvedic products, and health-supporting products.
2 Creating an online store It’s very simple with very little investment.
For creating an online store you need
a) A Hosting platform to run your site on the internet.
b) A domain name(your company name) the address of your site on the internet.
c) A website building platform like WordPress or some other website builder.
d) A few online tools for online marketing.
3 If you feel difficulty in creating an online store you can hire online a freelancer web developer from Fiverr.
4 For online marketing, you can promote your site on social media. You can also use autonomous tools from Buffer or contact any social media marketing agencies. We provide these services at very nominal charges. Check Here
5 You can also introduce an affiliate program on your site. You have to give a commission on sales to your affiliates. You have also to provide promotional banner links and unique affiliate tracking links for the products.
Pharmaceutical marketing is different and unique as compared to other products. Hence we have to use different strategies at different times depending on the situation.
You can take my advice as your consultant full-time or on a contract basis, feel free to contact us.
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