We are pleased to announce that USF Taneja College of Pharmacy is the latest school to join our growing network of 100+ chapters!
Congratulations to the student pharmacists at USF! IPhO now connects them to more than 5,000 student pharmacists with similar interests, as well as a national network of hundreds of industry fellows and thousands of industry pharmacists.
Several more schools are in the late stages of filing their chapter applications and will soon join the growing national network.
The 2024 Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) National Fellows Council (NFC) Kick-Off Meeting was a two-day event this August, hosted at UCB’s campus in Atlanta, GA. Fellows, preceptors, directors, and the IPhO leadership team congregated to share insight and passion for the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the pivotal role that pharmacists can play.
The Annual Kick-Off Meeting provided fellows, preceptors, and directors the opportunity to connect and network, develop and expand on their professionalism, and increase visibility with key industry leadership team members. This year, 21 attendees participated in person while 17 joined virtually.
IPhO Annual Meeting Information Session on August 28, 2024 at 7:30-8:30 PM ET. Join James Alexander, PharmD, IPhO Executive Director and Founder, and Melissa Rodenbach, IPhO VP of Marketing and Communications to learn more about what to expect at the 2024 Annual Meeting this September, and how you can make the most of your attendance as you pursue an industry career!
This webinar will be helpful for both registrants and non-registrants still interested in attending. You'll come away with:
- An insider's perspective on the meeting's value
- An understanding of exactly what to expect at the meeting (and why you can't miss it)
- A deeper look at the virtual networking platform and experience
- Tips for how to make the most of your attendance and networking opportunities
Our IPhO National Fellows Council Diversity Team chats with Ibrahim Younis, PharmD, Senior Clinical Scientist at Pfizer, about his inspiring career journey.
Please see the statement below from AIFA, whose Member Fellowship Programs collectively offer the majority of available fellowship positions.
Aligned First Offer Date: December 16, 2024
The choice of a Post-Doctoral Industry Fellowship is an important decision. AIFA exists to promote a consensus first offer date for all Fellowship positions. We believe this is a positive reflection of the cultures our Programs offer, and that culture is a critical consideration in choice of Fellowship.
We hope that other academic and non-academic Fellowship Programs will NOT pressure candidates to accept offers prior to this aligned offer date.
Carley Yawn, PharmD IPhO/Clinical Education AllianceHealthcare Education and Outcomes Research Fellow University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Meet Carley, an IPhO/Clinical Education Alliance Fellow and one of the current leads of our VIP Case Competition National Fellows Council Committee.
What fellowship project are you most proud of so far?
I would say it's our ACCP Visual Abstract. The ACCP Visual Abstract Challenge is an opportunity for postgraduate trainees, including residents, fellows, and full-time graduate students to blend their ability to evaluate primary literature with the art of creatively communicating key research components through visual representations. In our digital age, visually representing research can significantly enhance its impact, making complex information more accessible and engaging.
I’m particularly proud of this project as it perfectly aligns with my dual passions for creating visually appealing content and for clear, innovative scientific communication. My background includes working in the marketing department of InpharmD, an AI-driven startup dedicated to providing clinical pharmacists with drug information answers. The Visual Abstract Challenge honed my skills in making scientific content both easily digestible and aesthetically pleasing.
What is the most exciting place you've traveled?
Alaska
What is your favorite hobby?
Thrifting vintage home decor.
Finish this sentence: The greatest movie of all time is...
Register today before it is too late! Don't miss out.
industrypharmacist.org/iam2024.php
Class of 2025 - If you want a fellowship, this is a must-attend meeting. More than 50% of our attendees EVERY YEAR get a fellowship. Average success rate is 20%
Class of 2026/27/28 - we have great content for you. Personal development, industry knowledge, and networking. Don't miss out.
Believe it or not, this year's Annual Meeting is less than one month away, on September 6-8, 2024! We're giving registration away for free to five contest winners!
Megan Griffin, PharmD, NFC Diversity and Representation Co-Lead, sits down with Collins Asamoah, PharmD, MS, RPh to learn more about his Fellowship journey thus far.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & United Therapeutics
When I started pharmacy school at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) – Boston, I was intrigued by various career pathways that a pharmacist can pursue after graduation. I attended multiple networking events and spoke with fellows, residents and pharmacists working in various fields, hoping to find my niche. Outside of the regular pharmacy curriculum, I also pursued additional coursework, including Business certificates with Harvard Business School, Precision Medicine certificate with Harvard Medical School and Clinical Research certificate with Boston College. The additional coursework certificates, along with research projects and professional organization activities, have shaped my interest in pursuing a post-graduate fellowship.
IPhO and phactMI have partnered to offer a "2-for-1" membership plan. Student and Fellow IPhO National Members can now activate a complimentary phactMI membership for the latest medical information resources!
phactMI is a non-profit organization focused on the strategic value of Medical Information (MI) and is both an industry center of excellence and the leading-edge single source of medical information. By providing a free, searchable, drug information database, phactMI’s goal is to provide healthcare professionals with the most accurate, up-to-date drug information in response to HCP’s questions.
Partnership benefits with phactMI include invitations to quarterly virtual meetings, best practice sharing, professional development, mentoring and networking with medical information professionals, and access to members-only content.
From the beginning of my education at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, I realized that I would end up on a different side of the profession than most of my peers. In contrast to the patient facing curriculum, I showed a stronger interest in both the science behind medications and the processes supporting the development and launch of pharmaceutical products. This led me to develop the short-term goal of landing a postgraduate role that would give me practical experience in the pipeline of bringing drugs to market.
IPhO is excited to announce the release of its first-ever Post-Fellowship Compensation Analysis, now available to download here!
Each year, more Fellows enter pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agency, and service provider companies, as Fellowship Sponsors continue to recognize the value of pharmacists in Industry.
However, until now, little information has been published regarding compensation levels for PharmDs who secure full time jobs post-Fellowship.
Andrew Asante, PharmD Senior Manager, External Medical Engagement Amgen LinkedIn Profile
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
Growing up, I had to run many errands to the pharmacy to pick up medications for my mom and myself because we both have asthma. From these trips, I was inspired by the work of the local pharmacists and the many people they are able to serve on a daily basis.
Because of my life experiences, my mission became to work for an organization that is committed to public health with a global platform to bring lifesaving medicines to serve patients, especially to underserved populations. The pharmaceutical industry allows me the opportunity to do this.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
First, I believe it is inspiring to see the work Amgen and other pharmaceutical companies are doing in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B). I currently serve as Amgen's Black Employee Network “Global Health Equity Lead”, and I am impressed with the continuous leadership support going towards talent development and creating an inclusive environment for minorities.
Furthermore, there is currently an opportunity within the pharmaceutical industry to increase minority representation in clinical trials, which will require grassroot engagement at the community level. I believe the companies that work towards effectively increasing grassroot engagement will be pivotal to improve the lives of patients, while being able to serve more patients.
Dagmawit Betru, PharmD Medical Science Liaison at Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk LinkedIn Profile
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
My drive to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry stemmed from my passion to contribute to the cutting-edge research and development of new drugs, thus impacting patient care on a larger scale. The pharmaceutical industry offers a rewarding career path where pharmacists can apply their expertise to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and contribute to the advancement of healthcare on a global scale. Throughout pharmacy school, I was told to diversify my experiences early in my career. I have completed different internships in global regulatory affairs, medical affairs, market access, and a pharmaceutical rotation in medical strategy and HEOR. My interest to pursue the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role stemmed after I completed an internship in Medical Affairs at Novo Nordisk.
This role allows me to be a lifelong learner and leverage my clinical expertise and scientific knowledge to build relationships with healthcare professionals, providing them with accurate and up-to-date scientific information. MSLs also serve as a vital link between pharmaceutical companies and the medical community, helping to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
To advance DEI initiatives, pharmaceutical companies could proactively engage with diverse communities to create strategic partnerships and train clinical trial staff to be culturally competent and sensitive to the preferences of diverse participants, including language barriers. It is also important to ensure that clinical trial sites are strategically located in areas with diverse populations to improve recruitment and retention of participants from underrepresented groups. Additionally, companies should continue to strengthen the efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce at all levels and provide ongoing training on cultural competence to all employees, while simultaneously seeking ongoing feedback and adjusting initiatives based on feedback for sustained improvement.
After months of hard work and commitment from students and fellows alike, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2023-2024 IPhO VIP Case Competition!
FIRST PLACE: University of California, San Francisco
The IPhO student chapter at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) was pleased to host the 6th Annual Northeast Regional Meeting (NERM) on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
There are 941 PharmDs currently participating in US-based, industry-focused postgraduate Fellowships. This is a 13.4% increase over last year and a record number, as we celebrate a decade of creating and publishing this analysis.
Olanike Oladeji, PharmD Manager, Medical Affairs Insights - Cardiovascular Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine LinkedIn Profile
What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?
It has always been my passion to make a positive impact on the healthcare system and ultimately help patients on their journey. Then I wanted a career with the opportunity to have a greater impact on patients while striking a balance with my life responsibilities. A career within the pharmaceutical industry provides flexibility and evolving opportunities for personal and professional growth. There’s lots of room to spread your wings and explore different roles you may never have thought possible. You are not limited to a functional area, and that’s what motivated me to choose this career path.
Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?
As the industry evolves, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are now crucial components of a thriving workplace culture. There is a need for genuine commitment from the leadership to DEI, and this must be continually prioritized in actions, decisions, policies, and strategy. Inclusive practices in hiring, performance evaluation, and promotions are paramount to providing equitable opportunities for career development and advancement. Other areas on which DEI will focus will include community engagement to address the healthcare gap, diverse perspectives, cultural competency in clinical trials, and product development, which will allow for an inclusive data population. Prioritizing DEI initiatives to create a more equitable workplace will improve overall health outcomes for the patients we serve.