Pharmaceutical companies compete by creating new and innovative products. Billions of dollars are at stake to find the next big seller and industrial pharmacists play a crucial part in this race. They research and test cutting-edge pharmaceuticals that help people with many different types of health issues while turning a tidy profit.
American Pharmaceuticals
Instead of filling prescriptions and providing advice to customers, industrial pharmacists create new products. The United States sold $307 billion dollars worth of pharmaceuticals during 2010, contributing to fierce competition to find the next best-selling remedy. As an industrial pharmacist, the pressure is on to outpace your rivals by coming up with products that heal patients and dominate markets. Over 80 percent of the world's pharmaceutical research took place in America in 2010, with companies investing $67.4 billion in the development of new products.
Competition for Innovation
Without the efforts of industrial pharmacists, the United States would not be the largest contributor to the advancement of pharmaceutical research. The billions of dollars dedicated to research and development allow industrial pharmacists to focus on innovation that saves lives, improves quality of life and heals the injured and sick. Marketing and public relations teams also impact research, directing the attention of industrial pharmacists to projects that are more likely to sell and succeed.
Manufacturing and Standards
When the time comes to manufacture new products, industrial pharmacists must also figure out the best way to mass produce. They do this by setting doses and testing different ways that people might use the product to their benefit. For example, if the product is applied to the skin, an industrial pharmacist determines if the medicine should be delivered through a salve or a bandage. This type of decision significantly impacts the way a product is made. Industrial pharmacists also maintain compliance with various government and industry regulations.
Becoming an Industrial Pharmacist
If you are interested in creating pharmaceuticals and you enjoy science, math, laboratories and computers, becoming an industrial pharmacist may be the right career for you. Aspiring candidates will also need to take many post-secondary courses in fields such as biology, anatomy and chemistry. A post-graduate degree directly related to the field is a great way to rise above your competition. Some institutions, such as the University of Toledo, feature departments dedicated to industrial pharmacy, offering instruction in specifics such as drug design, testing and production.
References
Writer Bio
Kent Tukeli has been writing for business and media organizations since 2007, including Valnet Inc., Top Affiliate Publishing and Mirvish Productions. He honed his skills at the University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English literature.