Rene Rabaza, PharmD
AbbVie, Inc.
Associate Director, US Regulatory Affairs Advertising and Promotion

What was your motivation to pursue the pharmaceutical industry as a career path?

During my fourth year of pharmacy school, I completed a rotation at a pharmaceutical company, which became a pivotal moment in my career. I was fascinated by the vast opportunities available to pharmacists within the industry and the variety of roles where we can apply our skills and training. During this rotation, I had the chance to shadow someone in Regulatory Affairs Advertising and Promotion (Ad Promo) at a meeting commonly referred to as collab, promotional review committee (PRC), or Medical Regulatory and Promotional review (MRP)—where representatives from Marketing, Medical, Regulatory, and sometimes Legal and Compliance gather to discuss promotional materials. With my background in both dance and pharmacy, I was instantly drawn to these discussions because they struck the perfect balance between science and creativity. After attending just one meeting, I knew Ad Promo was the area I wanted to pursue—and the rest is history.

Talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the pharmaceutical industry; what should companies be doing to continue making progress?

The pharmaceutical industry should continue to cultivate safe and inclusive environments where all employees can thrive. I believe that it is essential to celebrate and support employee resource groups, as they often provide a sense of community in the workplace. Fostering an environment that encourages open exchange of ideas enables employees to learn more about one another and appreciate different cultures. Listening with the intent to understand, rather than simply to respond, further strengthens these connections. Embracing diversity of both people and perspectives sparks new ideas and drives innovation, laying the foundation for effective collaboration. When a company can prioritize diversity through its culture with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, it can lead to higher employee retention rate, increased engagement, and enhanced business performance. Leadership can also play a role. When leadership embraces and shows their commitment to DEI, such as building into the company's strategic objectives, they set a positive tone for the entire organization.