Insider’s perspective
Respondents listed the following critical factors as those being the most important to them. Please note
that a factor can rank highly based on wanting the factor or wanting to avoid the factor. As an example,
some may rank repetitive activities as a top factor as this is something that they want or look to avoid
in their practice. The factors listed below are based on the number of respondents who indicated these
would be the top five factors they would like to have in a role. Note that there are 25 total critical
factors from which to select.
Top 5 – first tier
Two of top tier critical factors have the same percentage.
- Leisure and family time (18.8%)
- Work type (e.g., repetitive versus variable work) (12.5%)
- Application of knowledge (clinical or scientific) (12.5%)
- Autonomy (11.5%)
- Problem solving (8.33%)
In addition to the top 5 factors, the second tier of critical factors is listed below. Note that one of
the factors; problem solving is listed in both areas.
Top 5 – second tier
- Innovative thinking (14.6%)
- Collaborating with health professionals (12.5%)
- Problem solving (11.5%)
- Compensation (10.4%)
- Community impact (8.33%)
Regarding leisure and family time, a respondent from North Carolina indicated, “Work-life balance is
most important to prevent burnout and continue to bring a feeling of value within an organization.”
There are many rewarding and challenging experiences with being a pharmacist in the pharmaceutical
industry. Seven percent of the respondents indicated that a rewarding aspect is the launch of a new
product. Numerous other areas were highlighted by the respondents.
A respondent from Florida stated, “Rewarding–knowing that I am helping tens of thousands of patients
with the work that I do. Challenging–overcoming the implicit bias that professionals have for industry
employees.” Another respondent from Maryland added, “Rewarding–finding answers to research questions.
Challenging–getting others to trust your opinions.”
A couple of additional rewarding statements from respondents include one from North Carolina, “I have
helped bring some important medicines to patients. I currently help assure their safety in the operating
room and other surgical procedures.”
Fifteen percent indicated that geographic work location, self-worth/value, and work schedule as
additional factors that are important to them. In addition, 8.33% listed pressure/stress and 7.30%
listed job security.
Fifteen percent indicated that geographic work location, flexibility, and work schedule as additional
factors that are important to them. In addition, 12.1% listed self-worth/value and 9.01% listed
pressure/stress.
Pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry had a variety of responses that they provided as highlights
of their career and where they see the future of the role. Several of the responses are listed below:
- "Inpatient internal medicine is constantly changing but I think there will continue to be great
opportunities for clinical pharmacists.”
- “Presenting at national meetings to help others.”
- “Seeing former students/residents complete training and become colleagues and go on to have amazing
careers.”
- “Helping bring new transformative treatments to millions of people around the world for
diabetes/obesity.”
- “The ability to make a difference/impact in the review and approval of drugs and biologics.”
- “Expanded opportunities for medical science liaisons (MSLs) to help with clinical trials.”
- “Participating in the launch of life saving medicines for undertreated patients.”
Critical factor ratings
Opportunities for advancement
[To what degree does your work allow for advancement?]
Respondents rated the opportunities for advancement in the pharmaceutical industry as the highest rated
critical factor at 8.45. This reinforces the opportunities that pharmacists have to continue to advance
in the industry.
A pharmacist from Illinois stated, “I've been offered several growth opportunities over the years in
medical affairs.” Another from Virginia added, “Working (my) way up in leadership in clinical groups or
transitioning into many different areas of production/research.” A pharmacist from New Jersey indicated
that there is “No ceiling to growth: knowledge base, and salary.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little advancement opportunities
10 = Great opportunities for advancement
Leadership development/professional involvement
[To what extent does your work allow for the development of leadership skills and
professional involvement in the pharmacy profession?]
Respondents rated leadership development/professional involvement as a high-range 8.13.
One respondent from Virginia highlighted this area, saying, “Continuing education and mentorship
available (may not be pharmacy profession-specific, but professional development specific).”
Another from Texas indicated, “Leadership–extensive opportunity to practice and develop direct/matrix
leadership skills.”
A respondent from Missouri provided a broader look at this factor and added, “I am able to teach, be on
a Board of a hospital, and get involved in lots of industry leadership positions like the American
Pharmacists Association (APhA), Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals (CORAR), Society of
Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) SNMMI, state associations, United States Pharmacopeia
(USP), and Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS).”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little development of leadership skills and professional involvement
10 = Great opportunities for leadership development and professional
involvement
Community impact
[How much impact does your work have in terms of serving the community?]
Respondents rated this factor in the mid-range with a rating of 7.55.
A respondent from Colorado stated, “My current work empowers pharmacies/pharmacists to activate their
provider status which we know increases the positive impact on the health of our communities. National
provider status is needed to bring that score up even higher.” Another from New Jersey had a role
specific comment, saying, “I work for the Foundation where we provide eligible patients that qualify
with free medicine.”
A different pharmacist from New Jersey looked at the impact and stated they provide a “Service to
community is via health care provider (HCP) education.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little impact
10 = High level of impact
Autonomy
[To what extent does your work allow for autonomy in decision making?]
Respondents rated this factor in the mid-range with a 7.81 response.
A respondent from North Carolina indicated that they have “A high level of autonomy although it is
checked/reviewed by those above me.” Another from Mississippi had a specific position comment, saying,
“In my MSL role, how I go about doing my job has a lot of autonomy but what we are allowed to say and
not say does not allow for much autonomy in decision making.”
A pharmacists from Pennsylvania simply stated, "Transparency".
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Very little low autonomy
10 = High level of autonomy
Focus
[To what extent does your work allow you to be focused on the future versus a focus only on
immediate tasks?]
Respondents rated the focus of their work mid-range with a rating of 7.27.
One respondent from Iowa commented, “My job is mostly focused on the future. Future opportunities in the
pharmacy industry. How can we support it, drive it, innovate for it?” Another from New Jersey added, “My
role, since a majority is focused on education and relationships, is truly a mix of both immediate and
future. I have to review outcome reports to identify new and emerging educational needs that allow us to
plan and seek out new ways of delivering education.”
Another respondent from Maryland added, “This comes with progression in the role (strategy work).”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Immediate tasks only
10 = Tasks focused on the future
Prestige
[To what extent does your work provide professional prestige?]
Pharmacists rated prestige in the mid-range with a rating of 7.56.
A respondent from New Jersey provided a detailed response, “This role, and my previous roles, have
allowed me to develop a robust network of colleagues, both within the United States and the European
Union that I look fondly upon. It gives me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I am respected in
the community. No residency, no fellowship, and yet, I am precepting student pharmacists and fellows for
the future. If you asked me when I graduated pharmacy school where I would be now, I would have never
dreamed this!”
A respondent from Missouri had a different perspective when they added, “There isn't much recognition of
me being a pharmacist.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Provides low prestige
10 = Provides high prestige
Creating value/positive outcomes
[To what extent does your work allow for personal fulfillment through the creation of value
and positive outcomes?]
Pharmacists rated this factor at 8.19, an upper-range response.
A respondent from Iowa stated, “I love the ability to interact with pharmacists and see how they are
working in their communities. This is very fulfilling and valuable.” Another from Florida indicated that
“The fulfillment I get from my work comes from understanding that I am able to effect change in many
patients at once rather than individually in clinic. I am a part of a whole, with a mission to create a
better medical environment for patients to receive appropriate care which makes me feel that I am a
valuable member of the medical community.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little extent
10 = High extent
Patient relationships
[To what degree do you have ongoing or long-term relationships with
patients?]
Respondents rated patient relationships as the lowest rated factor (tied with patient interactions) at
0.84.
A pharmacist from New Jersey summed up what most stated, saying, “Direct patient engagement is limited
to specific roles or circumstances; it does not involve direct patient care.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No ongoing/ long-term relationships
10 = All are long-term relationships
Coworker/client relationships
[To what degree do you have ongoing or long-term relationships with coworkers or
clients?]
This factor is rated the second highest by this group at a high range with a score of 8.32.
A respondent from North Carolina stated, “Because of my 45 years of experience in the industry,
coworkers look to me for some thoughts on our work.” Another from Missouri added, “There is almost no
patient contact unless I am getting patient speakers for events. I have so many professional contacts as
that is a third of my job.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No ongoing/ long-term relationships
10 = All are long-term relationships
Writing/conducting research
[How often do you engage in writing and/or conducting research?]
Respondents are mid-range with a rating of 5.21.
A respondent from New Jersey indicated, “Only as related to the program we manage.” Another from
Pennsylvania added, “Research and writing are the backbone of medical communications, and they are VERY
important skills to have.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Generating new ideas
[To what degree does your work involve generating new ideas?]
Pharmacists in the industry rated generating new ideas in the mid-range with a rating of 7.88.
A respondent from Pennsylvania stated that, “Innovative thinking is required for immediate tasks and
projects.” Another respondent from Florida added, “I encourage my team often to think outside of the box
when facing a challenge in order to create an environment of innovation and creativity.” One additional
pharmacist from Missouri indicated, “There is a lot of strategy involved.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little innovative thinking
10 = High degree of innovative thinking
Supervision/management
[To what extent do you spend your time organizing, managing, or supervising others and/or
business operations?]
Respondents rated this critical factor at a mid-range score of 5.77.
A comment was provided by a respondent from Missouri, “This is most of what I do. I have people
reporting to me all throughout the United States, France, and Slovakia.” Another respondent from
Maryland has a different perspective, “We have an operations team who manages timelines and budget.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Patient interaction
[How much time do you spend interacting with patients?]
Patient interaction was tied with patient relationships as the lowest critical factors for this group at
0.84.
One respondent from Missouri stated, “I do not spend much time on public or patients. Usually, 100% with
coworkers and health care providers.” A respondent from Florida looked at this differently even though
this was rated as a low factor they added, “At the end of the day, when you go to sleep at night, the
patients and their well-being is what matters the most and is why we decided to be pharmacists.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Public interaction
[How much time do you spend interacting with the public?]
Respondents rated public interaction as the low range with a rating of 3.05.
One respondent from Maryland stated, “I mostly interact with coworkers and physician investigators.”
Another from Florida had a different thought about this, “The benefits of this continue even beyond the
current role and position within an organization. Networking is something that builds lifelong success.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Collaboration
[How often do you work or collaborate with other health professionals or educate other
professionals in your work?]
Respondents rated this factor in the mid-range with a rating of 7.58.
One pharmacist from New Jersey indicated, “100% of my job description.” Another from Maryland stated,
“We work in an interdisciplinary team.” A respondent from Indiana added, “Constantly working with
physicians, nurses, and some pharmacists.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Family/leisure time
[How much free time do you have for leisure and family activities in your work?]
Pharmacists rated family/leisure time at the mid-range with a rating of 6.72.
A pharmacist from Iowa stated, “I have good work-life balance. Any issues I have are typically
self-inflicted as I need to be better at establishing ‘work hours.’” Another respondent from New Jersey
added, “My current company really respects that. They host events for our families and cover the costs.”
A respondent from Mississippi agreed with the above statements, saying, “Biggest perk of my job is
work-life balance!”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little free time
10 = Plenty of time for family and leisure activities
Impact on well-being
[To what degree do you impact the well-being of individuals?]
Respondents rated their impact on well-being in the mid-range with a score of 7.79.
One respondent from North Carolina stated, “If my work is not done accurately and properly people's
lives can be negatively affected.” Another from New Jersey added, “Health care provider education
impacts quality of care.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Low degree
10 = High degree
Problem solving
[To what degree do you solve problems with tried-and-true alternatives versus untested
alternatives in your work?]
Respondents rated problem solving as a mid-range factor with a score of 5.15.
A pharmacist from Indiana indicated, “If an easy fix exists, I made sure we used it. If we needed a new
solution, we used brainstorming methods and Six Sigma to apply changes to business processes when truly
needed.” Another from Missouri added, “Everything is literature based, but if answers were known, we
would not have asked them. It is a balanced mix.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Tried and true
10 = Untested alternatives
Expertise
[How general or specialized is the expertise required in your work?]
Respondents rated expertise in the mid-range with a rating of 7.61.
One respondent from Illinois stated that one needs a “Strong focus on injectables, parenteral nutrition,
and pharmacy automation/devices.” Another from Indiana indicated, “You have to understand clinical
health care to do the work I did, as well as good manufacturing (GMP) practices. But I had to learn many
disease state details on a project-by-project basis, so there was continual learning which I very much
enjoyed.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Generalized
10 = Specialized
Repetition
[To what degree is your work composed of activities and tasks that are highly repetitive
versus highly variable?]
Respondents rated repetition a mid-range score of 5.90.
One respondent from Missouri stated, “Each day is different, but the process is the same.” Another from
New Jersey added, “Very (repetitive). We monitor the program, and issue out reports to our donor
companies.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Highly repetitive
10 = Highly variable
Applying scientific knowledge
[How much of your time is spent applying scientific knowledge in your
work?]
Respondents rated the application of scientific knowledge at the mid-range with a rating of 7.54.
One respondent from North Carolina stated, “The medical safety of people is at risk if I do my job
properly. Understanding the science of the work is essential.” One respondent from Missouri looked at
both of the scientific and clinical side and added, “Strategy is all scientific and clinical.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No application
10 = High level of application all the time
Applying clinical knowledge
[How much of your time is spent applying clinical knowledge in your
work?]
Respondents rated application of clinical knowledge at a mid-range with a score of 6.71, slightly lower
than the application of scientific knowledge.
A respondent from New Jersey stated, “Ensure our products are being properly used and appropriate
information is shared with the community.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No application
10 = High level of application all the time
Parental leave
[To what extent does your work setting offer parental leave opportunities?]
Respondents rated parental leave at a mid-range rating of 7.26. It should be noted that several
respondents did comment that this does not apply to them.
A respondent from North Carolina indicated, “I got pregnant (oops) when I had been with the company for
only 2 months. Fully paid maternity leave and my European Union-based boss APOLOGIZED that I only got 3
months paid.”
Another respondent from Florida added, “Paternal leave is similar to maternity leave which is something
that I find odd. It should be that the mother is afforded longer time away to be with the child, and
this is not the case for many organizations in the United States.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Limited opportunities
10 = Unlimited opportunities
Compensation
[To what degree do you feel compensated for your responsibilities in your work?]
Compensation was rated as the high range with a rating of 8.19.
A respondent from Missouri put it simply, saying, “I feel compensated adequately.” Another from Indiana
feels good about compensation and added, “I don’t deserve what they offer me, very generous.” Overall,
the comments on compensation were very positive by the respondents regardless of their role and company.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not well compensated
10 = Well compensated
Benefit package
[How comprehensive is the employee benefit package offered in your work setting?]
Respondents rated the overall benefit package the same as their compensation with a rating of 8.19.
A respondent from New Jersey put this simply, saying, “Excellent benefits.” Another from North Carolina
listed the following: “Health insurance, health benefits, peloton bike, massage chairs at office.
Amazing!”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not comprehensive
10 = Very Comprehensive
Advice for students
Respondents provided advice across several areas and what the future brings. No specific trend came
across in the comments from these pharmacists. Information from several of the industry pharmacists is
listed below:
- “New treatment modalities and new concepts for application of basic clinical pharmacology
principles.”
- “Commit to being a lifelong learner.”
- “More education (PhD) opens many doors!”
- “A lot of change. Concern with job security given politics.”
- “Don't be afraid of statistics and other hard things. Strive to gather skills that make you more
marketable than the next person.”
- “Expansion of reimbursable services.”
Professional organizations
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
675 North Washington Street, Suite 220, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-2600 | www.amcp.org
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60603-3446
(312) 664-3575 | www.acpe-accredit.org
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
1400 Crystal Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 739-2330 | www.aacp.org
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
Avedisian Hall, 7 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI 02881
(703) 556-0650 | www.aaps.org
American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP)
8055 O Street, Suite S113, Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 476-1677 | www.aapp.org
American College of Apothecaries (ACA)
2830 Summer Oaks Drive, Bartlett, TN 38134
(901) 383-8119 | www.acainfo.org
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
13000 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66215-4530
(913) 492-3311 | www.accp.com
American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE)
11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 360A-105, Fairfax, VA 22030
(571) 404-0471 | www.afpenet.org
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 628-4410 | www.pharmacist.com
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
1240 North Pitt Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-1300 | www.ascp.com
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814
(866) 279-0681 | www.ashp.org
Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 946-5026 | www.bpsweb.org
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA)
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(877) 467-2791 | www.hoparx.org
National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)
2530 Professional Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
(804) 285-4431 | www.naspa.us
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
1600 Feehanville Drive, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 391-4406 | www.nabp.pharmacy
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
1776 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 549-3001 | www.nacds.org
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
300 New Jersey Ave, NW, #900, Washington, DC 20001
(703) 842.0122 | www.naspnet.org
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
100 Daingerfield Road, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8200 | www.ncpa.org
National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA)
10810 North Tatum Boulevard, Suite 102-965, Phoenix, AZ 85028
(480) 405-9291 | www.nationalpharmaceuticalassociation.org
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
670 Maine Avenue, SW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 835-3400 | www.phrma.org