News
In 2017, PIER ran a six month pilot mentorship programme for experienced pharmacists working in patient-facing roles and early industry career pharmacists. Twelve pharmacists participated (8 patient-facing and 4 industry based). The pilot was supported by an external consultant who assisted with the development of a framework for this initiative. Based on the positive feedback and successful outcomes of the pilot, PIER is planning to roll out another programme in 2018.
Patient-Facing Pharmacists
We are now seeking expressions of interest from mentors and mentees for the follow-on programme focusing on patient-facing pharmacists initially to commence by 1st July 2018.
Mentor Volunteers: Support / Guide
We are looking to establish a panel of experienced industry based pharmacists who fulfill the following criteria:
- Have at least five years experience in a number of industry/regulatory roles with some management experience.
- Can commit to supporting a fellow pharmacist make the transition into an industry role. The time commitment is envisaged as one face-to-face meeting/t-con initially and one monthly meeting/call for a period of six months.
Mentees: Professional Growth
We are seeking expressions of interest from patient-facing pharmacists only who are looking to make the initial transition into an industry role. A limited number of mentee spaces will be available which will be allocated based on the number of suitable mentors that come forward. The criteria for involvement include:
- Minimum 3 years qualified.
- Based in Ireland.
- Be committed to making the transition into an industry role.
- Be willing to work positively with an assigned mentor.
Expressions of Interest:
We are asking both interested mentors and mentees to contact PIER to express interest in the 2018 programme by Monday 11th June 2018 (email: piermentorship@gmail.com).
Mentors: Please outline your industry and management experience to-date.
Mentees: Outline your experience to-date, the area of industry of interest and a few lines outlining why you are interested in a career in industry.
Early Career Pharmacists
Once the patient facing pharmacists programme is up and running, the PIER committee considering rolling out a separate programme for early career pharmacists (i.e. someone with at least 2 years industry experience) to comments by Sept/Oct 2018. If interested in acting as a mentor or mentee on this programme, please email piermentorship@gmail.com also.
PIER has recently updated its Data Protection Policy to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which came into force on 25 May 2018. See link for further details PIER Data Protection Policy (May 2018).
A recording of the EIPG/PIER webinar organised on 13th March 2018 on the topic of 'Insight into New Medical Device Regulations in the EU' is now posted on the PIER website 'PIER webinars' area which is accessible to current PIER members only.
TOPRA (the organisation for professionals in regulatory affairs) are holding their Careers Fair in Dublin this year as well as London. It is a really good opportunity for both students, and other professionals looking to move into regulatory affairs, to come along and learn about the different career opportunities in this field of the pharmaceutical industry.
More information can be found on the TOPRA website: https://www.topra.org/regulatorycareersdublin
The event is free to students who are members of TOPRA (student membership is about £35 - the same cost for a student to register for the event if they are not members).
Sanofi Waterford is currently recruiting for an Regulatory Site Officer for their Regulatory Affairs Department. Position may be suitable for Pharmacists making transition across to industry.
For further details, see the job description Sanofi Regulatory Site Officer.
For enquries/applications, contact Jadwiga.Zmuda-ext@sanofi.com
Dublin City University Pharmaceutical Regulatory Symposium & Webinar on the topic of 'Exploring Current Trends in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Manufacture, Control and Regulation' will take place in DCU Alpha Campus, Glasnevin on Wednesday 9th May 2018. PIER members can avail of a 20% discount on registration fees.
For further details, see API Symposium_9th May 2018.
Astellas is currently recruiting for an Affiliate Lead for their Regulatory Affairs Department.
For further details, see the job description Astellas RA Affiliate Lead position.
The PIER Spring CPD meeting will take place in Trinity School of Pharmacy (Lecture Theatre LTEE1 (to the right and down the stairs on entering the Panoz Institute)) on Thursday evening 19th April 2018 from 7pm. The theme of the meeting is 'Getting the balance right in market access to medicines'. Speakers include
- Dr Máirín Ryan (HIQA),
- Dr Róisín Adams (NCPE)
- Muireann McAlister (Pfizer)
Registration & refreshements from 6.30pm in the Atrium area.
To register, please email education@pier.ie before Tuesday 17th April 2018. Attendance is free for current PIER members.
The 2018 QP Forum will be held in TCD School of Pharmacy on Thursday 12th April 2018.
For further details regarding the agenda and registration, see https://pharmacy.tcd.ie/postgraduate/QPForum.php.
Continuing on with the PIER Career Focus webinars highlighting some of the careers that pharmacists hold in industry, Donal MacConaill (Veeva Systems & Pharmabuddy.ie) will present on career opportunities in Health IT on Monday 9th April 2018 @ 7.30pm. For further details, see Career Opportunities in Health IT.
To register, email education@pier.ie.
Useful Links
- Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS)
- European Industrial Pharmacist Group (EIPG)
- European Industrial Pharmacists Group Newsletter
- European Medicines Agency (EMA)
- Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA)
- Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP)
- Irish Medical Device Association (IMDA)
- Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Assocation (IPHA)
- Pharmaceutical Managers Institute (PMI)
- Pharmachemical Ireland
- The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI)
- UK & Ireland Controlled Release Society (UKICRS)
- The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (TOPRA)
Find out more about the PBF and the work they do 