Pharmaceutical Job Overview and Description

The pharmaceutical industry is growing at a rapid pace. The overall outlook for different roles in pharmaceutical is very good. This is due to a growing aging population that tend to use more prescription drugs and have more chronic diseases.

Though overall job growth for pharmacists is projected to grow 6% from 2016 to 2026, there is slight decrease of employment of pharmacists in traditional retail settings as mail order and online pharmacy sales increase.


What is a Pharmaceutical job?

There are many different positions that people can be employed in as this is a large industry: from scientists involved in the development and testing of new drugs, to pharmacists who prepare and administer prescriptions for patients, to Sales representatives who visit physician’s offices and hospitals to sell new drugs that are out on the market.


Pharmaceutical job overview?

The typical environment setting will differ depending on the position: A Pharmaceutical scientist can be employed by many different institutions and may spend most of their time in a laboratory. Other scientists may teach and work in an office near a university or hospital, supervise clinical drug tests, or oversee the large-scale production of medications.

A pharmaceutical rep will travel from office to office, talking to different medical personnel.


What are the different types of Pharmaceutical jobs?

  • Pharmacists. Fill prescriptions and instruct patients on how and when to take prescribed medications. Advise patients on general health topics.
  • Pharmaceutical Scientist/Chemist. Research and develop new drugs. Will usually specialize in one aspect of the drug development process.
  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Provide a link between drug manufacturers and pharmacies to promote new drugs. Inform clinicians about the medical benefits of using their company’s product.

What type of education do you need for Pharmaceutical jobs?

Pharmaceutical companies usually only hire sales representatives with a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited school. Though a specific major is not required, study in biology and chemistry is preferred. Some employers may prefer hiring representatives with a graduate degree in public health, health science, or healthcare.

Pharmacists must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy program and must be licensed. Pharmacists must also take continuing education courses throughout their career to keep up with the latest advancements in pharmacological science.

Pharmaceutical Scientists also require at least a bachelor’s in chemistry or related field, although many hold a graduate degree with a specialization in pharmaceutical chemistry.


What is a typical salary for Pharmaceutical jobs?

The average salary for a Pharmaceutical scientist is around $104,000 to $210,000, $124,170 for pharmacists, and $122,107 for pharmaceutical sales reps.


What are job requirements for Pharmaceutical jobs?

For positions that regularly interact with patients and medical staff, exceptional interpersonal skills are a must. Sales representative’s verbal communication skills must objectively convey detail statistics about ingredients in medicines. Sales skills are also essential for pharma reps to be successful.

Pharmacists must be able to use electronic health record systems, must be detail-oriented to ensure accuracy of prescriptions and have managerial skills that aids them in their ability to manage inventory.

Strong analytical skills and knowledge of the drug development process is important for pharmaceutical chemist.


Where can you find a Pharmaceutical job listing?

You can search for a Pharmaceutical job listing through websites like CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, SimplyHired, and JobsInEachState.com. You can also check your local papers or do a general web search for your area for Pharmaceutical jobs.

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