The Industry Message

It’s the third week of my placement within the pharmaceutical industry and now that all the initial training has finished and the SOPs have been read, I am feeling more secure with my role. I thought that as a student my responsibilities would be quite low and I would simply shadow the other scientists but it is quite the opposite! The summer students are assigned projects and whilst we do assist the scientists and formulators in their experiments, we are allowed to perform some of the experiments on our own. This gives us the confidence to learn independently and practise our laboratory techniques. What’s more is that they treat us like equals rather than just students and include us in their meetings and even ask us if we have any ideas that could help. This has made me realise that even though we have only been at university for two years, we have built up sufficient knowledge to assist the formulators in their projects.            

      What has influenced me the most whilst working with GSK is the reminder that the pharmaceutical industry gives to its employees. Though patient contact is scarce within industry, the message reminds the employees of what they are working for and that is – the patients. Their work and research, their ideas and successful drugs can help to change the lives of people living with debilitating diseases. The GSK site I am working with predominantly designs and manufactures inhalers and drugs for asthma sufferers. It is a great feeling to know that the time the scientists spend perfecting their medicine can have great impacts on their lives.  

           Many of the decisions made about products and their design are now based on what is the best for the patient rather than what will turn the biggest profit. This shows, in my view, how the industry has transformed from a profit-oriented business to a patient-oriented one.