Drug sales representatives grapple with a rewarding financial compensation versus maintaining a sound personal lifestyle.
In the bustling pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh, valued at around $4 billion as of 2024, Medical Promotion Officers (MPOs) play a vital role. These individuals, who promote medicines to healthcare professionals, face a competitive and stressful work environment.
Abdur Rahman, a seasoned MPO with over 15 years of experience, shares his story. He has been working tirelessly in the industry, often finding himself sleep-deprived due to the demands of his job. Abdur Rahman and a dozen other pharmaceutical sales representatives took refuge under trees in front of the Bangladesh Medical University (PG Hospital/BSMMU) C-Block, seeking respite from the heat and humidity.
The income of an MPO can range from Tk25,000 to Tk40,000, depending on experience and the company they are working for. If an MPO meets the sales target, their income can increase significantly, potentially doubling or more. However, meeting sales targets requires near constant vigilance, leaving little time for personal life.
Abul Hossain, another MPO, echoes this sentiment, stating that he barely has the energy to talk to his wife when he returns home at night. MPOs often express that their work consumes their entire day, leaving them with little energy or desire for personal interaction.
The job is not without its challenges. Abdur Rahman and his colleagues often face "indignity" from hospital officials, security personnel, and pharmacy store owners. In one instance, a colleague had their phone and bag seized by the Ansars for entering the hospital.
Despite the difficulties, many MPOs accept the job due to the potential for professional growth. The pharmaceutical sector has over 200 companies operating, including major players like Square, Incepta, Beximco, and Renata. There is a clear growth trajectory for MPOs, with potential advancement to senior MPOs, Territory Officers, Area Sales Executives, Area Managers, and Regional Managers.
Sanjay Kumar, an MPO, enjoys the challenge and looks forward to the professional growth opportunities in the field. He shares a story of a colleague who once hesitated over an opportunity to go abroad as a migrant worker due to lack of personal time. Yet, the allure of professional growth in the pharmaceutical industry proved too strong, and the colleague ultimately decided to pursue a career as an MPO.
While the pharmaceutical industry meets approximately 98% of domestic medicinal demand and is projected to surpass $6 billion by 2025, the stories of Abdur Rahman, Abul Hossain, and Sanjay Kumar serve as a reminder of the human side of this fast-growing sector. The challenges faced by MPOs highlight the need for balance between work and personal life, and the importance of respect and fair treatment in the workplace.
