Drug Rep Hassles

[AngelfireRN]

Does anyone else have issues with drug reps? I realize that they have a job to do, and I would never attempt it. What I take exception to is when they park themselves in the middle of traffic and refuse to move, even when they can see we are incredibly busy.

We have a designated area for samples and that is where the reps are expected to wait. That rarely happens. Either they're parked in our triage area or in our lab. Some try to grab me as I go by with a patient. Some have been so bold as to tap me on the shoulder WHILE I'M DRAWING BLOOD and ask if I have 'just a minute'.

And then there's the one who finally took the hint and quit coming. She had the gall to tell me that the reason I didn't like her drug, which was a new formulation of a very old medicine, was because I 'didn't have enough under my belt'! She just could not understand that Doc and I had not had one successful trial of said drug. Every complaint a patient made, she blew it off. It took me telling her that I would never write it again to sink in. She insisted on speaking to Doc, and set up camp in our triage for over an hour before she got the hint. We had been telling her we did not like the drug for six months.

Do your clinics have a designated area for reps? Any ideas about how to streamline this situation a bit?

I love my reps, they're great! I know they have a job to do, but I'd like to do mine, too.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

This is the OP. I did not make anything up. Your experiences aren't mine, mine aren't yours. But to accuse me of making up things just because you've yet to experience them is rude.

i hope your experiences continue to be positive.

[automotiveRN67]

This is the OP. I did not make anything up. Your experiences aren't mine, mine aren't yours. But to accuse me of making up things just because you've yet to experience them is rude.

i hope your experiences continue to be positive.

After 25 years, I think I have seen my share. On occasion you get a rep who is a little too energetic, you ask for their card, and set something up with them later.

It's your choice whether you talk to them or not, but you probably are not up on the latest info if you don't.

At least stop whining about it.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

This thread is a year and a half old, not even sure how it got revived. But should I choose to vent, or whine, whichever...that's well within my rights.

signing off now, you have a good day.

[BritFNP]

The only problem I have had are the ones who finally catch me and want to go in depth about their new study when I am busy. If you want to talk for more than 2 minutes a meeting should be scheduled, a lunch, something.

My doc has been less than polite back to them when they don't have new things to say, for example: "Consider the epi pen for children who have asthma and eczema"...his response being something along the lines of "Uh, yea, I already went to med school".

However, overall all most reps are very nice, polite, and respectful of the schedule.

[Le'chaim]

I agree that if you are having a problem with reps verbalizing with staff/ managers about expectations is the way to go. At my current job with only me and the MD who is also the owner, who is very pro-rep, the reps have learned the differences between our policies. The MD stopped to talk during the day to them which I believe affected pt satisfaction. The patients would complain to me that he was running behind but could here him outside the door talking to reps. I actually had signs posted in the lobby "NP does not see reps during patient appt hours" etc with receptionist verbalizing this. I do appreciate learning about new classes coming out and talk with them at appropiate times but I think just setting your own clear boundaries over time it will get better. In our area many reps have lost there jobs due to "restructuring" ie layoffs, which could be cause for some of them to be overzelous but should also be reason for them to be listening to your feedback also

[BlueDevil, DNP]

I feel bad for them. Spend some time talking to them and you will learn how incredibly high pressure their jobs are. They are just trying to hang onto a job in a very cutthroat business. Can't fault them for that!

[chillnurse, BSN, RN, NP]

Isn't the op the same one complaing about their job? Lol