miami university

Pharmaceutical Communicator

Within the pharmaceutical industry there are many avenues for communicators to take. However, writing is the most frequently used form of technical communication within the industry.

Overview of Pharmaceutical Writing

Writers employed by pharmaceutical companies work in two broad areas, Phamregulatory and marketing.

In the regulatory area, writers produce documents required to register a new drug for worldwide regulatory approval. At first, writers usually edit documents produced by others. As they gain experience, writers independently compile, analyze, and summarize various types of laboratory and clinical data. Their writing spans a broad range of topics. These include the drug’s chemistry, the results of laboratory tests, safety information, metabolism studies, descriptions of medical procedures, and the results of clinical trials. The writer’s documents will be used to convince the FDA and other regulatory agencies that the company’s new drug is both effective and safe for human use.

In the marketing area, writers produce documents that advertise the drug and explain its benefits to physicians, pharmacists, and consumers. Writers may develop package inserts, advertising materials, research articles for medical journals, and educational programs for physicians and patients.

Beginning writers can expect to spend most of their time working with regulatory documents. Writers in both areas derive satisfaction from using their diverse talents to help bring innovative drug products to patients in need.

Work Environment

The work environment of a pharmaceutical writer is often fast-paced and demanding, but the stress is offset by the satisfaction that writers feel making a substantial contribution to others’ lives. Pharmaceutical writers work as part of a team, communicating with other highly trained professionals such as physicians, pharmacologists, and statisticians. At times, writers work alone as they craft their documents under tight deadlines.

Pharmaceutical writers typically work full time, though some are able to find part-time work within a company. Writers in the pharmaceutical industry usually work in an office setting, although some work from home as freelance or telecommuting writers. Indeed, pharmaceutical writing allows for a great deal more flexibility of lifestyle and work environment than many other careers.

Qualifications and Skills

The academic qualification for an entry-level writer’s position is either a BA in the humanities or a BS in the sciences or health-related field. Senior positions usually require advanced degrees (MS or PhD). Excellence in written and oral communication is the price-of-admission to the field. Strong word processing and desktop publishing skills are becoming increasingly important, particularly as the industry moves to full electronic submission of regulatory documents. Additionally, a writer should have a basic understanding of statistics and medical terminology.

In addition to the above academic and technical qualifications, the pharmaceutical writer must have variety of personal skills to be successful in the industry. The writer must be able to:

While the profession of pharmaceutical writer requires an extensive set of qualifications and skills, the rewards and opportunities for personal growth are enormous..

Estimated Earnings

The estimated earnings of pharmaceutical writers vary with their education, experience, responsibilities, and geographic location. The following numbers from one survey of medical writers shows the typical earnings for writers in the pharmaceutical industry:

Source: “Medical Communication in the Pharmaceutical Industry” by C. D. Evans in Essays for Biomedical Communicators: Volume I of Selected AMWA Workshops. Rockville, MD: American Medical Writers Association; 2001: 13-16.

Outlook and Trends

The job outlook for pharmaceutical writers is excellent! The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Statistics expects job openings for writers and editors to grow faster than for most occupations through 2010. The trend in pharmaceutical writing is shifting from full-time employment within a pharmaceutical firm towards opportunities for freelance and contract writing.

Resources

The following resources provide more information about the career of pharmaceutical writing: