About Pharmacists
Pharmacists play a key part in the development, manufacture and marketing of new medicines and can choose from a wide range of different jobs.
"The thing I like about working as a Pharmacist in the pharmaceutical industry is that there are many different career paths available to you. You choose the direction you'd like to follow."
What does the job involve?
Pharmacists in AstraZeneca work in many different functions including Research and Development (R&D), Sales and Marketing, and Operations. If you choose to work in R&D, you could be working out the right formulation for new medicines, making test batches and manufacturing supplies for clinical trials. Alternatively, your job might involve helping to plan and monitor clinical trials or preparing regulatory documents for approval by governments all over the world.
What kind of qualifications do I need?
You'll need a degree in pharmacy as a starting point. You'll then need to complete a pre-registration year working in a hospital or community pharmacy to gain registration as a pharmacist with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. If you like, you can spend six months of this year working in the pharmaceutical industry. Many Pharmacists, particularly those who want to work in R&D, also have postgraduate qualifications such as PhDs.
What kind of career opportunities will I enjoy?
You can benefit from a wide range of different career paths. Whichever department you choose to work in, you'll have the opportunity to work towards a management role, managing either people or a project.
Where can I work
There are opportunities for pharmacists at Loughborough, Alderley Park and Macclesfield, as well as the chance to work and travel internationally.
Where can I find out more?
You might like to look at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's website at www.rpsgb.org.uk
