Pharmaceutical marketing has become a subject to reckon in the present context. Stiff competition prevailing in the pharmaceutical sphere demands individuals to have professional know-how on the subject to resist competition and create an edge in the marketplace.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for marketing has embarked on furthering the knowledge of pharmaceutical marketing professionals, medical representatives and grooming school leavers who are keen in building careers as medical delegates, with its Certificate course in Pharmaceutical Marketing. The programme was developed as a unique six-month long comprehensive course, comprising of 3 areas; Anatomy, Management and Marketing.

The course has been designed focusing on grooming pharmaceutical Salesforce to become true professionals in the pharmaceutical field and is approved by the Sri Lankan Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry. The step-by-step teaching process sheds light on advancing students in their pharmaceutical career.

The course offers students a higher career path in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond. The programme is conducted by a highly qualified faculty, comprising of reputed professionals in the field, thus adding much credibility to the course. SLIM held the inauguration of the ‘Certificate in Pharmaceutical Marketing’ and its first intake for the year 2018 in a grand scale, at the SLIM Home in February this year.

Attending the Inauguration Ceremony, Pradeep Edward, the Vice President of SLIM and CEO of Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics, gave the participants an overview of a Medical Delegate’s profession. He disclosed how he entered the Pharmaceutical industry as a medical delegate and obtained professional qualifications to brighten his career and life. “A medical delegate with professional advancement will build confidence within himself to interact with Doctors and medical professionals in a proficient manner. SLIM’s Pharmaceutical Marketing certificate course, while offering students, knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, also offers them with the knowledge in sales, marketing and management. This acquired knowledge and know-how bestows them with the professionalism needed in the sphere”.

The Vice President - events of SLIM, Suranjith Swaris said that SLIM being the national body for marketing has its core competency of being responsible for the qualifications granted by the institute. “We add value to our Pharma course with guest lecture sessions, where students get the opportunity to participate and derive exposure from the pharmaceutical experts. Apart from knowledge acquiring, building network with top marketers in the fraternity and participate in student committees attached to National level events, SLIM creates opportunities to the students to develop their inter-personal skills and personality”.

“The PharMa Syllabus, text books and course content are prepared to suit the current industry requirements with emphasis made on training as well as embracing the most effective and best practices to succeed in the pharmaceutical trade. Any individual or sales representative who follows this certificate course could confidently look forward to a steady career progression in the field. The certificate course will further facilitate persons who are eager to fast-track their education towards an MBA qualification”, noted SLIM CEO/ED Sanath Senanayake.

He added, “SLIM constantly conducts innovative, practice oriented courses and sessions for students, facilitating them to derive hands-on experience and PharMa is one of those”.

Azam Jaward, Hon. Secretary of SLCPI and CEO/ Managing Director of CIPLA Pharma Lanka endorsed the programme while stating, “The professional expertise of the pharmaceutical sphere by the Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) together with the inputs of Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) designed the course, which ensures to produce professionally qualified pharma delegates to the industry.”

SLIM being the national body for marketing is dedicated to enhance the status of marketing in the country by continuous development of marketing education benchmarking with global standards.

Photo caption: Delivering the special message - Mr. Pradeep Edward, Vice President – SLIM & CEO of Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics