Abstract:

Global economy and economic operations have been devastated due to COVID-19 pandemic. Health personnel, products and services are in higher demand now more than ever. The pharmaceutical supply chain has not been spared by COVID-19 effects, either. Pharmaceutical sales representatives are integral to an effective supply chain for healthcare products and services. Hence, the level of impact on pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSRs) operations’ need to be investigated. The study adopted a quantitative research technique. Questionnaires were administered to 226 PSRs across the six (6) geo-political zones in Nigeria, namely-North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-South and South-West. Purposive sampling technique was used. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Majority of respondents had knowledge of main COVID-19 symptoms and used social media platforms in their operations. Relationships exist between the type of firm and responses to questions on impacts on staff strength reduction, salary payment, and agreement with government directive on movement restrictions (p<0.01). 60.3% of PSRs’ had constant wages and 31.2% had reduced wages as a result of lockdown in Nigeria. Annual income brackets of < US$5,300 to 6,850 were least impacted by lockdown due to Covid. Study suggests overall low impact of COVID lockdown on operations and income of pharmaceutical sales representatives in Nigeria.