Pharmaceuticals Industry: Jobs Explained
- Clinical molecular geneticist - Clinical molecular geneticists use biochemical and molecular biology to try to find out genetic
abnormalities associated with disease. They screen individuals both before and after the appearance of symptoms.
- Clinical research associate - A clinical research associate (CRA) sets up, monitors and completes clinical trials.
A clinical trial is a scientific study of the effects, risks and benefits of a medicinal product. Trials are carried out before a product
reaches a hospital or the pharmacy. They are done at various stages such as: trials on healthy humans and trials on patients with a disease
- Community/retail pharmacist - A community/retail pharmacist make sure the correct and safe supply of medical products
get to the general public. They are involved in maintaining and improving people's health by providing advice and information, and supplying
prescription medicines. Retail pharmacists also sell over-the-counter medical products and instruct customers on the use of medicines and medical appliances.
- Medical sales rep - Medical sales representatives, or reps as they often called, are a vital link between pharmaceutical companies and
medical and healthcare professionals. They work strategically to increase the awareness and use of a company's pharmaceutical and medical products medical
places like general practices, primary care trusts and hospitals. They may also make presentations and organise group events for healthcare professionals,
as well as working with contacts on a one-to-one basis.
- Microbiologist - Microbiologists study microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and protozoa. They focus on their ecology,
their survival strategies, how they affect us and how we can exploit them. Microbes affect every aspect of life on earth and, consequently, microbiologists
work in a wide variety of settings, although the majority of work is laboratory-based. Microbiologists work with pure cultures.
- Pharmacologist - Pharmacologists investigate how drugs and chemicals interact with biological systems. Their aim is to understand
drugs and their actions so they can be used effectively and safely. They also carry out research to aid drug discovery and development.
- Process development scientist - Process development scientists aim to optimise the performance of manufacturing systems by:
• improving the quality of the product;
• increasing production capacity;
• reducing costs.
- Product development scientist - Product development scientists work with research scientists to develop new ideas and scientific
discoveries, which are generated in the research laboratory, into new materials and/or products for manufacture. They also work to develop and improve existing products and materials.
- Research scientist - Research scientists are primarily involved in designing, carrying out and analysing experiments either to develop new products,
processes or commercial applications, or to broaden scientific understanding in general. Although research is carried out on an individual basis, they normally work as
part of a larger team.
- Regulatory affairs officer - Regulatory affairs officers make sure the appropriate licensing, marketing and legal compliance is used for pharmaceutical
and medical products. Using knowledge of scientific, legal and business issues, they enable products that are developed, manufactured or distributed by a large number of
companies to meet the required legislation. They advise on and co-ordinate the approval and registration of pharmaceuticals, veterinary medicines, complementary medicines,
chemicals, pesticides, therapeutic devices and other products.
