When deciding for a pharmaceutical degree programme, prospect students are facing a huge array of career paths.

Firstly one should know that Pharmacy and Pharmacology, although related, offer two completely different career paths.

Pharmacology is the study of drugs, thus working in this field includes extensive research, in order to test, develop and implement new drugs. Therefore, the degree will provide in depth knowledge how drugs are interacting with the human body and other chemicals.

Pharmacy, however, has nothing to do with the development of new drugs. Pharmacists are experts in selecting or prescribing existent drugs for patients, and to give necessary drug advice. Therefore, the study programme will still teach how medicines interact with the organism.

Those who are unsure which pharmaceutical job matches their skills may need some insights into the work of the available positions and which skills they should bring to the table in order to succeed in that position.

Medical Affairs Jobs

Those working in medical affairs support the company in their product development and product launch activities, ensuring at all stages that relevant laws and regulations are adhered. Therefore, good time management and interpersonal skills are needed, as it must be liaised with internal departments (e.g. marketing and branding) and external partners from all levels (e.g. pharmacists and doctors). Presentation skills are needed to discuss creative solutions which improve the business and its services, and leadership skills to implement change and to direct teams. Clearly, people who are aiming to work in this pharmaceutical field must enjoy to help people and to solve problems. For more information about this job sector take a look at Cititec.com Medical Jobs.

Regulatory Affairs Jobs

Regulatory affairs officer are responsible to provide adequate advice and to influence product development processes, ensuring the drug surely will deliver a benefit to public health and welfare. Above that, those who work in regulatory affairs must monitor if industry regulations and laws are met by the pharmaceutical company. To be successful in this work field, the person must show excellent time and project management skills, and must be a strong communicator with an analytical mind.

Medical Writers and Editors Jobs

Medical writers are responsible for creating all kinds of written communication ranging from journals, clients documentation, training documents, promotional documents or research/study reports. Therefore, excellent writing skills which need to be grouped with team working and observing skills are a must.

Quality Control, Assurance & Pharmacovigalence Jobs

Quality assurance and control jobs are available in any kind of industry such as in manufacturing of automotive or pharmaceuticals, and in the service industry such as in the airline business. In the production process of medication and drugs, the Pharmacovigalence Auditor is responsible to check if all produced drugs meet legal quality standard and requirements (quality control). Above this, also the production process itself must be monitored and improved where possible, in order to reach set targets which is called quality assurance. Click here for more information about pharmacovigilance jobs with Cititec.com.

Clinical Research Jobs

Clinical researchers accomplish clinical trials in the attempt to research, develop, test and produce drugs. The work includes operating with new technology and computers, as results must be meticulously observed and recorded. Although researchers are placed in laboratories, much of the time will be spend writing trial protocols. Indeed, in order to organise and plan the trial and its set up project management skills are needed. Clearly, clinical researchers must have a patient nature, as some projects may take over a decade until a drug is brought to market.

Clinical Trials Jobs

The task of a clinical trial facilitator or coordinator is to test and validate the efficiency and safety of new medication or other kind of medical inventions on patients. Therefore, the person who is aiming at a position in the clinical trials area must be able to handle large amount of people and data, which needs a good stress resistance as well as good organisational and communication skills. Clearly, analysing the data needs high analytical skills. Some positions need the person to also write newsletters to promote upcoming clinical trials to patients. Being employed as a clinical trial facilitator needs a higher degree of patient-facing skills, as trials needs to be explained to patients.

Biostatisitcs Jobs

Statisticians are responsible for the analysis of huge amount of data resulting from clinical trials, which is used to draw conclusion and to show interrelations between variables. The statistical reports are integrated into trial reports, internal documents/presentations, and journals and other kind of publications. Above that, biostatisticians may be required to help planning the trial, and to develop new statistical approaches.