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The way drugs are distributed is important to hospitals, pharmacies, clinic, health centres and others and the availability of drugs and other medical supplies is important to the lives of workers, entrepreneurs and other people in Nigeria.
The members of the Association of Medical Sales Representative Professionals of Nigeria (AMSPON) are responsible for the distribution of drugs in the country.
Mr. Al-Ameen Omonuwa Ibrahim is the secretary of the Lagos State chapter of AMSPON.
He spoke with Daily Independent on how he and members of the association ensure that drugs that are manufactured by reputable and registered pharmaceutical companies are distributed to hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, health centres and others across the country.
“What the medical sales representatives basically do is to move medicines and drugs from drug manufacturers across the country to pharmacies and hospitals and this ensures that hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and others get the necessary pharmaceuticals they need serve their patients,” he said.
Al-Ameen Omonuwa Ibrahim stated that anyone who wants become a sales medical representative has study pharmacy, pharmacology, and medical science related courses like biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and others.
He added that some people that did not study health or medical related courses but who have knowledge of health can be allowed to practise as medical sales representatives.
“But basically, you have to be in the medical field, or studied related courses to operate as a medical representative,” he added.
On what qualities one needs to possess to become a medical sales representative, he said one has to have some knowledge of the medical field; he or she must be to know the terrain where they want to operate.
“You have to be a self-motivating person; you have to be a go-getter and be able to meet assigned targets. Monthly targets are usually set and it is your responsibility to meet them and if you are unable to meet them, you will have issues,” he stated.
Al-Ameen Omonuwa Ibrahim said another quality a sales representatives is ability to work hard, especially in an environment where the roads are bad and difficult to navigate.
He stated that sales representatives must also have integrity, “because you collect drugs from companies and money from customers and you must remit the money to the companies. If you are a fraudulent in nature, you may have issues dealing with money that is not yours. So all these things put together make you a successful medical sales representative.”
On the issue of fake drugs, his said that members do distribute fake or expired drugs because they collect drugs from only registered pharmaceutical companies.
However, he said that the issue of fake drugs is not within the jurisdiction of members, “because, we, as a professional body, what we are concerned about is about making sure that only high quality drugs are distributed to Nigerian hospitals, clinics, pharmacies.
“We insist on integrity, honesty and justice among our members. We ensure that our members are people of integrity and transparency and we scrutinize people before we admit them as members,” Al-Ameen Omonuwa Ibrahim disclosed.
He added that if anyone is found to have been indicted or owes money or has a criminal record, that person will not be allowed to become a member of the association.
He said that members cannot be involved in the distribution of fake or expired drugs because members buy from only reputable and registered companies.
He advised young people who want to become medical sales representatives to study hard, adding that that they should study courses like pharmacy, pharmacology, medical science related courses like biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology and others.
He added that, like other fields of endevour, the job of a medical sales representative has its own challenges and urged them to brace up for task head.
“But, if you are able to weather the storm within one year or year and a half and are able to stand your ground and work hard, the sky will be your limit.
He urged young people to be prepared to work hard and show that they can do the job, adding that with hard work, they will succeed.
But he advised people who have one challenge or the other to talk to people who are experienced in the profession.
Al-Ameen Omonuwa Ibrahim stated the job is a profession, adding that the professionals have a code of ethics which every member must adhere to.
However, he explained that there is a difference between a medical person and medical sales professional, adding that medical people are involved in treating and taking care of patients while medical sales persons are only involved in the distribution of pharmaceutical products and items.
Al-Ameen Omonuwa Ibrahim urged young people to stay away from crime and criminality, adding that they should listen to their parents and guardians and teachers so that their future will be bright.
