The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7189 p360-364
16 March 2002

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  CPD
  Baddy chemists
  Pharmacist prescribing
  MMR vaccination
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Letters to the Editor

The Industry (2 letters)

Grab those opportunities!

From Mr R. J. Kantaria, MRPharmS

In their letters, Tabassum Jafri (PJ, 23 February, p244) and Geoff Trew (PJ, 2 March, p286) refer to their struggle with obtaining training places within the pharmaceutical industry. Unlike the experience of Mr Trew, the industry did visit my peers and me at university during our final year to give a presentation on the opportunities offered. This was in addition to receiving the usual presentations from the community and hospital sector. However, this may not be the case nationwide and more could be made of the preregistration "milk-round".

Having recently entered the industry from hospital pharmacy I have faced many new interesting and diverse challenges and used many of the skills gained at university and through my role as a hospital pharmacist. Just the other day I used my knowledge of pharmacokinetics to influence a promotional piece and my pharmaceutical knowledge to answer a complicated medical information enquiry. As Dr John Hunt states (PJ, 2 March, p286) there are many opportunities available in the industry and pharmacists possess a unique blend of skills and knowledge that would help them in any sector of the industry.

My advice to Mr Trew and anybody else interested in entering the industry is not to give up. Maybe the industry should be more proactive in recruiting pharmacists but at the same time I would encourage students and pharmacists alike to explore the opportunities available.

Rakesh Kantaria
Luton, Bedfordshire

Opportunities are out there

From Miss S.-W. Yee

I have read the letters from various correspondents regarding careers in industry and there are a few points that I would like to add.

Obtaining a preregistration placement in industry has become more difficult due to limited places. In my opinion, this could be for two possible reasons.

First, the contents and information in the new preregistration trainee workbook are mainly about hospital and community pharmacy practices. This could have discouraged the industry to take in preregistration trainees.

Secondly, preregistration trainees have to take a number of days off work to take part in study days, therefore, can only spend a limited time in industry within their six-month placement. This may have discouraged the industry to take on preregistration trainees as opposed to full-time pharmaceutical scientists.

I hope the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Industrial Pharmacists Group and pharmaceutical companies can come together to discuss this issue. I have experienced many opportunities and challenges in various areas of the pharmaceutical industry during my six months and hope that future preregistration trainees can obtain placements in industry more easily.

There are many opportunities for pharmacists within the industry because of the vast number of departments and areas in which pharmacists can use their skills. It is a rewarding career with lots of new challenges together with good training.

We should not think that industry only wants people with a higher degree. I believe that if you are enthusiastic and persistent, the opportunities are out there.

Sook-Wah Yee
Preregistration Trainee
Bristol-Myers Squibb and Wirral and Whiston Hospital

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