Description
The Pharmaceutical industry is in charge of studying, experimenting, and developing substances and drugs with the purpose of preventing, treating, easing, and curing diseases and synthons. This scientific branch works towards the continuous research and advancement of technologies, methods, and devices to enhance and boost the medical field, and subsequently, people’s lifestyle quality, health, and well-being.
The Pharmaceutical industry is involved in an wide variety of medical areas such as endocrinology, cardiology, gynecology, neurology, and immunology. Other areas of our everyday life also rely heavily on the Pharmaceutical field, like nutrition and cosmetology.
Pharmaceutical companies work to prevent the spread of disease, ease pain, cure illnesses, and slow down the effects of aging, among many other things. Their mission to discover the next ground-breaking medicine revolves around very big results (and possible consequences): big revenue, big competition, and, at times, big controversy.
Tasks Overview
Professionals in the Pharmaceutical industry are usually responsible for the following:
- Conducting different scientific experiments to test and analyze the effect of several chemical compounds.
- Using specialized equipment and tools in order to conduct experiments.
- Creating a schedule of future projects and experiments.
- Creating new medicines and treatments for several illnesses.
- Adhering to safety standards and procedures.
- Documenting and publishing details of their research and findings.
All professionals working in the Pharmaceutical field usually share the same characteristics, which include, but are not limited to:
- Having outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
- Having excellent leadership abilities.
- Being able to work cohesively with a multidisciplinary team of scientists.
- Being organized, analytical, and detail-oriented.
- Being great at multitasking and establishing priorities; being able to manage time efficiently.
Pharmaceuticals is one of the world’s most profitable industries and its growth hasn’t slowed down with time. Nevertheless, not everything is as easy as it sounds. The process that turns research dollars into medicines is a slow and often arduous one. It can take an average of 12 to 15 years and billions of dollars for a drug to go from discovery to the market. Furthermore, despite all the effort, time, and money put into creating these medicines, only a handful get approval from the corresponding drug administration agency each year.
Pursuing a career in the Pharmaceutical area could mean working in all kinds of environments; from laboratories and hospitals to academic institutions and pharmacies. However, it’s not easy to get into this line of work. Most careers in the area require a bachelor’s degree in Sciences, a master’s degree and, on top of everything else, a Ph.D. A doctoral degree can improve the candidate’s chances to get ahead in their professional careers and become a recognized scientist in their field. Moreover, internship experience, general laboratory experience, and proven communications and leadership skills will definitely improve a candidate’s chances to get a position in the Pharmaceutical industry.