There's only ONE thing that medical sales rep need to remember when thinking about giving out gift during this holiday season: NEVER use the grant to buy business or influence buying decision.It's a tricky business these days for pharma industry players not to be seen as buying business or influence a prescription habit through a gift.
Even when pharma companies meant well, the public still sees them as doing precisely the opposite; that they are trying to manipulate the customers through goodwill.
How to overcome this?
One way many companies are adopting is through SOCIETY. Gifts are channeled through it, and many customers are happy to receive it on behalf of the society (look at the categories of gifts that salespeople subscribe to).
And the gift is REALLY meant for the group, not individual.
Some companies are limiting the number of times a customer can be sponsored throughout the year.
It can be two (the most).
Some companies totally stop giving out gift and concentrate their effort on education program organized by the medical society. This is easier to justify since the pharma company is being invited.
Some companies stop sponsoring the whole family.
Some companies not sponsoring out of town trips, even to a medical related event.
Some companies come up with multiple consent forms to be signed that declare their non-interest in giving out gift or sponsorship.
In short: pharma companies, through their medical reps, are being very tactful and subtle when dealing with gifts these days. The whole idea is to make it genuine and avoid being seen as bribery.
PS. As a public, how trustworthy do you see these companies are when it comes to giving out a gift? I recommend you visit the comment section and share your thought. I'm pretty sure you have a word or two to say about this issue, aren't you?
And the gift is REALLY meant for the group, not individual.
Some companies are limiting the number of times a customer can be sponsored throughout the year.
It can be two (the most).
Some companies totally stop giving out gift and concentrate their effort on education program organized by the medical society. This is easier to justify since the pharma company is being invited.
Some companies stop sponsoring the whole family.
Some companies not sponsoring out of town trips, even to a medical related event.
Some companies come up with multiple consent forms to be signed that declare their non-interest in giving out gift or sponsorship.
In short: pharma companies, through their medical reps, are being very tactful and subtle when dealing with gifts these days. The whole idea is to make it genuine and avoid being seen as bribery.
PS. As a public, how trustworthy do you see these companies are when it comes to giving out a gift? I recommend you visit the comment section and share your thought. I'm pretty sure you have a word or two to say about this issue, aren't you?
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