Hello and thank you for your excellent questions! There are an increasing number of postdoctoral pharmacy fellowship programs and positions available, and the proportion of Doctor of Pharmacy graduates participating in fellowship training has grown significantly over the past decade. Although completing a fellowship program can provide valuable learning experiences and a competitive advantage in the job market, it is not a prerequisite for obtaining a position in the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, of the estimated 20,000 pharmacists employed in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry, slightly over 20% of these pharmacists have completed an industry fellowship. If pursuing an industry fellowship interests you, consider exploring the directory of U.S. fellowship programs at accp.com/resandfel. As always, TranspharmD is here to support and guide you throughout your career exploration and postgraduate training journey. To access pharmacy fellowship resources and learn about the experiences and advice of current pharmacy fellows, read more at transpharmd.com/pharmacy-fellows. I will allow Dr. Atanasoski to reply to your questions for her regarding qualifying exams, daily work schedule, and travel expectations. Thank you for your engagement with TranspharmD!

Depends on where the interests of the individual lie. If they wish to enter Med Info/Medical Communications in Medical Affairs, most of the folks I know recommend getting clinical experience before, but it certainly is possible to land a fellowship (contract positions and "entry-level" positions appear to be a somewhat rare method of entry into the industry without clinical experience). In Regulatory Affairs, a PharmD alone should suffice. PharmD/MBA or other PharmD/MS degree combinations can make a candidate more competitive when applying for fellowships during P4 year, especially considering what their goals are (MSL/MOL/MOSL, RWE, HEOR, marketing, etc.) and the relevance of their second degree to their career goals. PharmD/PhD would be best suited for individuals specifically looking to go into Research & Development (R&D). Please note, I'm not in the industry (yet). I'm a P3 and I completed an internship in the industry last summer. I hope this helps!

@@mashalkhan7199 That's really informative for me cause I'm doing pharm D and I keenly wish to ba a oncologist , which universities are offering the oncology after pharm D?

Hello Madelaine, thank you for your inquiry. Pharmaceutical warehouses do offer inventory-related positions such as stock controller, receiving inspector, inventory coordinator, and purchasing specialist. These roles commonly require procedural knowledge in procurement, inventory management, and materials safety, specifically the safe handling of chemicals and pharmaceutical ingredients. Education and training requirements for these roles vary by employer, position, and job description. Typical minimum requirements include a foundational understanding of logistics and supply chain fundamentals, a working knowledge of inventory management strategies, and an awareness of occupational safety procedures. These qualifications can be obtained through formal academic degrees, certification and training programs, or equivalent work experience. We hope that this information is helpful to you as you explore career options! If you have further questions related to pharmacy careers, please feel free to reach us on our website, www.transpharmd.com.

Hi Irina, thanks for your question! Although I don't personally know anyone that has made the transition from pharmacovigilance to MSL, I would definitely think its possible to make that transition for a number of reasons. You already work for a pharmaceutical company and thus have background knowledge on the company and culture, although the roles are not directly similar, there are areas where they overlap. I know of many companies that try to hire talent within the company first. If you feel that the MSL role is something your interested in for a career choice, why not go for it? I would highly recommend connecting with an MSL within your company to get their direct perspective on their specific responsibilities and see if it aligns with your career aspirations. Good luck!

Hello, Somesh! Thank you for your inquiry. In this video, Dr. Atanasoski speaks to her role as a field-based medical science liaison (MSL) responsible for a regional territory within the United States. However, the general scope of work and responsibilities of an MSL are applicable to practice in other countries as well. Many major pharmaceutical companies operate through multiple international branches, and their Global Medical Affairs units function relatively uniformly amongst sites to maintain a standard of practice throughout the division. Teams may have varied nuances--for example, in organizational structure and operational processes related to local rules and regulations--but the purpose, mission, and vision remains at the center of work functions. Aside from country-specific language requirements and adaptability to cultural norms, the core skill set of an MSL is interchangeable across countries. Of course, you may see variances in market competition for roles based on geography and population density, as within any industry. I hope that this information is helpful to you, Somesh. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any further questions!

I am a clinical pharmacist and they always tell me " MSL for physicians or for pharmacists with previous experience in pharmacy industry"

@@mohamedabdalla2972 Thank you for your question! As someone who didn’t have experience in the pharmaceutical industry, I understand that is can be a challenge when looking for a position. Although many applications will state “need MSL experience” that isn’t always the case. If you have experience within the therapeutic area that helps tremendously with setting yourself as a strong candidate. Also don’t be afraid to still apply for those positions that state that because there are still MSLs that are hired without experience. I hope that helps and good luck in your search!

@@Lzatanasoski Thank you for that! I am in the exact position. Loads of clinical experience within most clinical areas, 6+years in Hospital settings yet always got stuck in this same place. Can I just also say that the way you presented our profession as pharmacists has been so helpful in updating my CV. Your video has helped me immensely! Thank you!

@@user-vf4ct5fy7h Thank you for those kind words! I hope your MSL job search is going well!