Physicians were asked to rank the companies that have the best general sales reps, specialty sales reps, and medical science liaisons as part of “Specialty Reps 2007: An Influential Force,” a recent Verispan survey of 4,000 physicians from across 24 different specialties.

Here's a look at what docs from each specialty had to say about the specialty sales reps that serve them.

Cardiologists rated Pfizer, Merck and Novartis first, second and third respectively as the companies with the best specialty sales forces. Gastroenterologists rated AstraZeneca, TAP and Abbott as the top three sales forces for specialty reps. Neurologists/neurosurgeons ranked Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, UCB and Novartis as having the best specialty reps. OB/GYNs ranked Wyeth, Ortho-McNeil and Bayer first, second and third, respectively in terms of best specialty reps. Oncologists rated Genentech, Amgen and Novartis as having the best specialty reps.

Ophthalmologists ranked Alcon, Allergan and Pfizer as the leasing sales forces in terms of specialty reps.

Pediatricians ranked Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Shire as the top three sales forces for specialty reps. Psychiatrists ranked Eli Lilly, Janssen and Pfizer as having the leading specialty sales reps. Urologists rated Pfizer, Sanofi-Aventis and GlaxoSmithKline first, second and third, in terms of best specialty representatives.