Speakers for drug companies

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Any NPs currently or use to speak professionally for drug companies? If so how did you go about acquiring these positions? Thanks.

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.

In my area it is just based on connections and which specific company it is. I'm sure you already know that each drug company is very different in terms of their specific policies when dealing with providers. I recently gave a small talk for other NP's in the area for a respiratory medication and I landed it simply by going to a few of the bigger dinners, asking questions, and being friendly with the reps. They approached me the next time they were in my office for a lunch, and asked me if I would want to give the talk. The compensation is very nice.

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Thank you!

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In my area it is just based on connections and which specific company it is. I'm sure you already know that each drug company is very different in terms of their specific policies when dealing with providers. I recently gave a small talk for other NP's in the area for a respiratory medication and I landed it simply by going to a few of the bigger dinners, asking questions, and being friendly with the reps. They approached me the next time they were in my office for a lunch, and asked me if I would want to give the talk. The compensation is very nice.

If you don't mind, how much is the compensation (you can PM me if you don't want to post it here). Also, do they give you any training to do the talks and do they make the slides? How do you handle any questions that may come up about the drug if you don't know the answer?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Internal Medicine.
If you don't mind, how much is the compensation (you can PM me if you don't want to post it here). Also, do they give you any training to do the talks and do they make the slides? How do you handle any questions that may come up about the drug if you don't know the answer?

Thank you!

I don't mind at all and all this information is now legally public domain. Drug companies have to report how much they are paying providers. Some providers pull in 6 figures just for their speaking engagements.

For my first speaking event they paid me $350 and following that they gave me a deal for $2000 where I agreed to speak at 4 events, so basically $500 per. This is actually 1/3 or 1/4 what physicians are making for their speaking events, and I have met a couple NP's making more as well. I'm actually about to do my last event, and they have already asked me to do more (for more $), and have also mentioned to me speaking about some diabetes medications. It's really easy money considering each talk is 20-30 minutes and usually about 15 minutes of questions with other NP's. They're also always at nice restaurants where they cover everything.

In terms of prep, they gave me the slides, info packets, and some talking points. Although I was familiar with the medication, I researched the heck out of the patho and prescribing standards. Questions people usually ask are mostly related to when to prescribe, asking me personally if I actually prescribe the med, what difference is there in comparison to competitors, and interactions with other meds. Insurance coverage, particularly medicare/medicaid ALWAYS comes up. I've actually never fielded a real patho question.

In general, being a speaker at these things is more about charisma and speaking ability. I haven't even been out of NP school for a year so it's obviously not based on my experience as a provider.

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Specializes in FNP, MS, BSN.

Hi! If you don’t mind, which company did you work with? 

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