IPhO is the organization whose pharmacist members are universally recognized within the pharmaceutical industry as being the most professionally equipped to contribute to the development, commercialization, promotion, and optimal use of medicines.
Written by Caleb Roberson, PharmD Candidate (Class of 2027) Fall 2025 IPhO Virtual Intern | Director of National Engagement, IPhO-University of Georgia College of Pharmacy Chapter
Every drug tells a story of how it travels through the body and how the body responds. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) is the science that translates that story, forming the backbone of drug development. For Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) students, PK/PD fellowships offer a unique opportunity to build expertise in pharmacometrics, translational pharmacology, and clinical development. These programs connect quantitative modeling with real-world applications, training fellows to turn data into strategies for dosing, formulation, trial design, and regulatory approval. (1) With clinical pharmacology playing a growing role in drug development, specialized PK/PD training is becoming an invaluable career path.
Two members of the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) National Fellows Council (NFC) Publications Committee, Izzabella Christian and Jenifer Pham, attended and presented a poster, “Analysis of 2024 PharmD Industry Fellowship Outcomes” at the 2025 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.
This poster highlighted two of the outcomes that were analyzed in the corresponding publication—First Position Title and Fellow Retention. The outcomes showed that the most common First Position Title for 2024 Fellowship Alumni was "Manager" but widely varied from Associate to Director and Senior Medical Science Liaison (MSL). 62% of 2024 Fellowship Alumni were retained by their Fellowship Sponsors. These results show an overall positive outcome for Industry Fellows post-Fellowship.
Failing to secure a competitive industry fellowship can feel like a setback, but it is absolutely not the end of your career path to the pharmaceutical industry. This moment requires a strategic pivot: applying directly for entry-level roles as a PharmD.
If you did not receive a fellowship offer, it is crucial to understand the distinct hiring timelines between fellowship recruiting and applying for direct-to-industry positions. The fellowship recruitment process is unique, often starting in late August and concluding with offers made in late December through January for fellowships that begin July 1st. This up to six-month gap between acceptance and start date is not the standard for direct-to-industry positions. Direct-to-industry positions operate on a typical two-month timeline from posting to hiring. Therefore, students should resist the urge to immediately start applying for jobs in January as this will result in your likely frustration. Focus on graduating and plan to execute your direct-to-industry job search in March to align with actual posting dates.
Here are my recommendations for maximizing success and pivoting into industry upon graduation without a fellowship.
