The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7187 p285-287
2 March 2002

This page
Reprint
Photocopy

Letters are available in a single PDF* file (65K)

  Small multiples
  POM-to-P-to-GSL
  POM-to-P
  Community pharmacy
  Hospital pharmacy
  Careers
  Truss fitting
  C. W. Maplethorpe
  CPD
  The profession

Letters to the Editor

Careers (2 letters)

There are many opportunities in industry

From Dr J. A. Hunt, FRPharmS

May I add my recommendation to that of Mike How (PJ, 9 February, p 173) that pharmacy students should not ignore the pharmaceutical industry as a career opportunity?

From my many contacts with students, as a visiting lecturer, I have become aware that there is a widespread belief that the only way into the industry is through a higher degree into a research position. This is just not true. There are many opportunities in manufacturing, marketing, medical information, regulatory affairs and other areas.

In the past many pharmacists entered the industry as medical representatives, as I did myself, with no more than a pharmaceutical chemist qualifying diploma and a good deal of enthusiasm. There are still opportunities to do this, and there is no better way of finding out how the industry and our health care system really function, than by visiting medical and pharmaceutical practitioners at their places of work.

For myself, I retired from a senior position after over 30 years' service during which I worked in many different areas of the industry and travelled all over the world. I hope that pharmacy students will feel able to give a career in the industry their consideration and not dismiss it as something outside their potential.

John Hunt
Wyke Regis, Weymouth

Why has the industry forgotten about students?

From Mr G. Trew

In their letters, R. E. B. Rollo (PJ, 26 January, p94) and Mike How (PJ, 9 February, p173) ask why students have forgotten about the pharmaceutical industry? The question should be why has the pharmaceutical industry forgotten about students?

I attempted to get a placement with the pharmaceutical industry during my gap year. This futile attempt, one of many to come, led me to work for Zeneca Agrochemicals.

Every year at university I sent out my curriculum vitae to everyone, hoping for a placement in industry. This was highly tricky as the university provided no information on how to do this (though the jobs noticeboard was teeming with hospital and community information). As a result, I was informed that my applications were either too early, too late or that there were no jobs.

In my final year my search for a preregistration place was no more successful. At my university most of the community pharmacy multiples came and talked to us. The hospital sector provided a comprehensive application system. What did we get from the industry? Nothing.

I did get an interview but due to its late timing in the academic year I had to choose between a hospital job offer and the interview. I think you know how the story goes by now. I was informed in my interview that lack of past experience had counted against me! After being turned down from industry, yet again, I was highly fortunate to get a hospital placement through clearing.

Not one to give up, my CV has once again been posted out, so wish me luck.

Geoff Trew
Preregistration Trainee,
Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport

Previous Topic (Hospital pharmacy)
Next Topic (Truss fitting)
Send your letter to The Editor