More than half of the 60,000-plus staff directly employed by pharmaceutical companies are graduates, working in all aspects of the research, development and marketing of life-saving and life-enhancing medicines. Most science graduates start their careers in research and development, looking for new medicines to treat infections, degenerative diseases, or psychiatric conditions.

All new medicines and treatments begin in the laboratory, where scientists extract, design or synthesise chemical compounds whose therapeutic benefits are assessed through screening. The compounds are then tested for safety and stability. A number of compounds will be selected and put through further rigorous trials; once stringent safety standards have been met, a programme of clinical assessment on humans is carried out. A large amount of data will be collected from these studies and analysed, often by mathematics graduates, and the results are then passed to a clinical department for interpretation. When a successful product has been identified and tested for safety, companies need people who can design and carry out its production cost-effectively and on a large scale. Further trials will begin at this stage of the development to determine dosage levels and the best way to deliver the active ingredient.

Pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in the latest state-of-the-art technology. Companies need highly skilled engineers to use this technology to devise innovative solutions to a range of problems. This could be anything from the large scale design and operation of a manufacturing plant, to smaller projects such as the construction of automated equipment to help research teams, or the development of delivery systems like inhalers.

But it is not just science graduates who can have successful careers in the pharmaceutical industry. It is vital that the right graduates join the sales and marketing side of company operations too. Companies need graduates with excellent communication skills and a sound understanding of the industry to promote new products to a highly competitive international marketplace. Profits from the sales of products, that are skilfully marketed using creative and effective advertising and promotional campaigns, can then be re-invested in the search for new medicines. The industry currently spends £6 million a day - more than a third of all UK industry on research and development - in the search for tomorrow's medicines.

Medical or non-medical graduates can also pursue a career in registration and regulatory affairs, as it is essential for companies to show compliance with the necessary regulations before a drug can be developed or marketed. Strong writing and linguistic skills are desirable in this area, as is proven expertise in statistics and computer technology. Other specialist functions within the industry offer challenging opportunities for graduates interested in business management. Specialist support services include finance, legal, personnel, safety and environmental control, purchasing, accounts and administration.

Many companies will provide advice and support as you develop your career, and will ensure that you are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing environment. Most will help you find roles to suit your individual strengths, and will give guidance on promotion and opportunities in different areas of company activity. Companies may also give you support through part-time study, leading to professional qualifications, high quality vocational training at all levels, and training in specialist areas and new techniques. The industry is committed to provide the best possible environment for its workforce - companies employ health and safety experts to ensure that high standards operate and legal requirements are met.

Most important of all, you will be given the opportunity to work in a highly successful industry where you can make a real contribution to helping improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), represents nearly 100 companies involved in the research, development and manufacture of new medicines and treatments in the UK. A booklet produced by the ABPI, giving details of careers in the pharmaceutical industry, is available. It also includes a list of graduate recruitment contacts within ABPI member companies, who will be happy to provide information about current vacancies and receive speculative applications.

For a copy of 'The Pharmaceutical Industry - Careers for Graduates', contact, the ABPI Publication Department, 12 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY. Tel: 0171 930 3477, Fax: 0171 747 1411.

Author
Kate Davies
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

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