Pharma companies that used large field forces for multiple divisions, selling the same me-too products to create a resounding Share-of-the-Voice in the market are beginning to Stare-at-the-Diminishing-Returns for investments on traditional sales and marketing strategies, if they can be called strategies at all in the first place.
Most pharma companies and professionals like Black & Yellow cabs, continue to hope against hope, that somehow they will be able to continue to hold on to their businesses and jobs till their shares are sold and EMIs are paid. After that, who cares?
The answer to pharma and healthcare’s challenges will need a combination of profound domain knowledge and experience combined with digital skills to engage Rx customers meaningfully.
Indian Pharma companies will have to create hybrid employees, who can be designated as the Digital Task Force (DTF).
Just as STFs were created to create a better perception and improve engagement with specialist doctors, DTF can rebuild relationships with doctors on a new premise of helping them to gain digital advantage to better manage their practice and patients.