Novartis to cut 500 pharma jobs, then staff up in OTC, generics

Novartis is reshuffling its cards in Switzerland. To cover new drug launches, both branded and generic, the company is cutting 500 jobs in its pharma division and hiring up elsewhere. It's the latest job-trimming move at the Swiss drugmaker, which has shed thousands of jobs over the last several years.

Four Effective Ways to Enrich Your Career as a Pharmaceutical Representative

You were attracted to the pharmaceutical industry because of the perks of being a representative: you get to travel across the country helping people treat, manage and cure illnesses and conditions. The job relies on your salesmanship and knowledge of the industry. Get a leg up on colleagues and others vying for the same jobs and promotions in the industry by becoming a more knowledgeable, experienced salesperson in the field.

Earn Your Masters

Earn a graduate degree and become more qualified for a better salary and a promotion. There are a number of fields in which a pharmaceutical sales representative could thrive, such as business and marketing, but there are a few more outside of the box, too. Opt for a specialization such as healthcare ethics and join the debate on ethics in the medical field.

Johnson and Johnson Out Ranks All Other Pharma Companies in Social Media Engagement, According to IMS

According to a new report released today by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, nearly half of pharmaceutical companies are now actively using social media -- specifically Facebook, Twitter and YouTube -- to "engage with patients on healthcare-related topics".

IMS points out that only ten companies utilize all three of these major social networking services for healthcare topics. "Many companies are using social media primarily as a unilateral broadcasting channel to physicians and patients, with limited interaction or fostering of discussion," says IMS.