Pharmaceutical Career options for healthcare professionals
Lot of healthcare professionals want to venture in the world of the corporate pharmaceutical industry but yet, many remain skeptical and clueless. Reasons for it are many and one of the reasons is sometimes they have an idea from google or someone they know, but they want to know more from someone who can direct them in more detailed manner.Unfortunately this someone is not available easily with honest guidance.
I came to know this situation, because I get approached by many MBBS/BDS/BAMS/B.Pharm pass out students on how do they start their journey and what are career prospects in this domain? Most of the time, they approach me on facebook/linkedin/Quora where it is really difficult to summarize and guide them via chat. Hence this blog.
But before I open the topic, I would like to clarify that I am an industry expert with mentoring experience in Drug Safety and Clinical research. I have decided to write my 2 cents of knowledge to help someone looking for a starting point to begin their career in the pharmaceutical industry.
To start with, I have enlisted in a few of the different areas in Pharma industry where healthcare professionals are required.
1.Clinical operations
We do know that clinical research is the backbone of getting newer or lets say better drugs in the market. Conducting clinical research is a long term process which involves multiple stakeholders including physicians and other HCP (health care professionals).
The Job titles that are most commonly referred are Medical Monitor, CRA, Clinical and Safety Associate/Manager/Head, etc.
2. Pharmacovigilance (PV)
PV is about collection and analysis of side effects or adverse events associated with drugs and then taking decision regarding the drug based on data collected to ensure drugs are safe for patients as treatments.
The job titles or roles available are pharmacovigilance expert/medical reviewer/safety physician/drug safety advisor/medical director/safety leader,etc.
3. Medical Affairs
The primary role of medical affairs is to help pharma companies to write scientific literature,product information and to meet with the other practicing doctors to create awareness regarding the availability of their better and effective drugs.
The medical affairs department job titles include Medical advisor/Medical head/brand leader/Medical affairs head, etc.
4. Clinical Data management
Clinical data management forms the core of any pharma company especially those dealing with new products and where clinical data managers play varied roles and responsibilities.
Different titles in this domain are clinical data associate, clinical data analyst, clinical data manager , director etc.
5.Regulatory affairs
The regulatory affairs department is responsible for obtaining permissions and fulfilling requirement or requests from regulatory agencies/health ministries for company drugs.
The different titles available in this field are regulatory affairs associate, manager, director, specialist.
6.Medical writing
Medical writers are responsible for writing medical documents that present information clearly and concisely.
Growth opportunities : I would like to finish the topic by putting my 2 cents about growth in the Pharma career. Remember that as for any other career the same rule applies here too, growth depends on a number of factors, your skill, attitude, hardwork and availability of opportunity at the right time for you etc. The most crucial aspect of pharmaceutical career is having a mentor who can guide into along the course so that you can be successful.
– Sai Pragna MD
