Remember when.....?

Apr/04/2008 08:38 Filed in: Pharma Business
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In talking with several people this week, who decided to leave the pharma industry, it came as quite a surprise to me to learn that the reasons most are leaving is because "the party is over". They talk of the days within the pharma industry when bonuses were as high as 250% and there were half days on summer Fridays. Well welcome to the new economy and unfortunately those days are gone forever.



Let's face it, we all work for money to make good lives. That's part of a capitalist democracy and it's our choice to go for the money but in pursuit of bigger paychecks perhaps we have sight of what really matters within the pharma industry and that is making a difference in patients lives. I have remained within the health industry and do what I do, eMarketing, because I really believe in the channel and in helping people make better choices. I have never been lucky enough to experience any huge bonuses of more than 15% and the bonus I receive now is ties to the performance of my business unit and company. I can't imagine what it might have been like to get bonuses of 50,70,100 and 200% like some have described to me.


Now I am hearing more and more of people leaving the pharma industry because they can't make those big bucks anymore. My feeling is that if they are only chasing the mighty dollar then let them go..their heart is not in their work and when that happens you don't do your best work. Those of you who read this BLOG on a regular basis know that I am very passionate about the Web for example and I am continually striving to get more money to do more things online because I believe my product can provide patients a better way to manager their diabetes.


As I continue to talk at various DTC conventions and seminars I am amazed how many new faces there are in the audience. New marketers that are thrust into a DTC role because others have left pharma seems to be happening more and more. In addition to the chase for more money a lot of marketers are sick and tired trying to justify marketing expenditures to senior executives who only see more lines in the expense column.


DTC Marketing is an art and when a passionate talented marketer is in the role pharma has to do whatever it can to hold onto that person so that she/he can teach others and ignite their passion to improve DTC marketing. All too much in pharma today it's about the money both from the brands, products, marketing and now it seems talent. Pharma has to get back to letting people know that what we do can improve patients lives and to be part of this is truly rewarding in itself.
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