Pharmaceutical Industry

Hello there,

I studied Biomedical Chemistry at uni. There was another course very similar to mine called Pharmaceutical Chemistry. A decent pass (2:2 or higher) in either subject would have been enough to get a job in the pharmaceutical industry. The toughest jobs to get are with the bigger companies, Phizer, GSK, Astra Zenica etc... They pay the biggest salaries for graduates. (15-18K approx) Smaller companies tend to offer between 12-15K for a graduate.

If you have a degree you will have more responsibility and get a bigger salary. The same can be said for an MSc. A PHD will help you into a management or research position. (Some of the larger companies will help fund a PHD). In terms of job prospects I would suggest at the least getting a degree.

A lot of unis will offer a "sandwich course" where year 3 (out of 4) is spent working in the industry. You will get paid and get a shed load of experience which will be useful when applying for your first proper job when you finish your degree!

Good Luck!

So what does have the best career prospects (in science; ie I dont want to go into finance or law etc.)

genetics, biochemistry?

How easy is it to work in the sector? and what are job prospects and salaries like? what would be the best degree to get for it

Hey Jack! My friend's doing a set degree in pharmacy, however she's at a completely different educational institution than I am, so I'm not sure exactly what she studies. However, I noticed that biology wasn't mentioned in this thread, and tbh I also think a bit of biomedical science would help in securing you a job in your chosen field.

Anyway, hope we're all helped, even if a little bit,

Danni x

How easy is it to work in the sector? and what are job prospects and salaries like? what would be the best degree to get for it

If you want to make it in the pharmaceuticals industry as a scientist then a PhD In synthetic chemistry (bioorganic) is a must. This is the core of the research for the pharma industry and generally the way to progress up the ladder (other scientific discplines such as pharmacology or biochem are ancilliary).

Total crap! It might help if you're interested in formulation/physical properties, else it's useless! Chemistry is important for initial formulation work following in silico molecular modelling, and again comes into effect post-safety testing (pre-clinical safety and clincial trials). There's a whole abyss in between where a PhD in chem will not afford you any benefit, and a degree/masters/PhD/D.Phil in immunology/molecular biology/biochem/genetics/toxicology/hepatocytology/pharmacy etc will get you far!!!

Have you worked in the Pharmaceutical industry? It is a chemical industry, the synthesis of new drugs is at the heart of this industry. I didn't say you couldn't get a career in pharma if you had a red school biological degree, however chemistry is a very major part in almost all steps of pharmaceuticals production. From lead development, through to optimisation, pilot and production - chemists are involved in bringing drugs through the system. Certainly when I worked for Novartis most of the top scientific managers were chemists.

Unfortunately you have obviously been presented with a somewhat biased picture of what drug development is about - the 'initial formulation' step is not so facile and irrelevant as you make out and there is a lot post-trial work that needs to be carried out before the drug can enter the market.

Most of my first degree was also funded by them!