Occupational health issues affecting the pharmaceutical sales force.

BACKGROUND

The sales force forms a significant sub-population in the pharmaceutical industry workforce. Role and organizational characteristics, such as isolation, peripatetic working and car travel and the psychosocial and ergonomic hazards related to work tasks, present particular occupational health risks.

AIM

To review the occupational risks associated with peripatetic sales force work and evidence for the effectiveness of preventive interventions.

METHODS

We carried out a review of the available literature between 1990 and 2003.

RESULTS

The following hazards were identified as significant and worthy of further investigation for this occupational group: driving on company business; violence in the workplace; stress; ergonomic issues; and mobile phone use.

CONCLUSION

To ensure effective prevention and management of employee health problems, specific health management strategies and interventions must be developed to meet the occupational health needs of this group.