Pharmaceutical Technologist - January 2008 - (Page 11)

Morpheus next big industry merger may involve who you are working for. You only need to take a look at recent events where major multinational pharma companies have decided that job cuts are unavoidable.1,2 Take up the challenge Although access to medicines is not at the forefront of the industry’s mind and we are so caught up in the daily challenges of our jobs, surely we need to do something more than express our sympathy to those suffering? Even those of us lower down the food chain within the industry should do something to help — even if it’s just to raise the subject’s profile higher up the corporate ladder. Many firms do have programmes to improve healthcare access in developing countries, but how many of us take the time to find out about them or even ask if there is a way we can contribute our skills? In fact, many of these programmes exist because certain pioneering people within companies have forced these issues to be raised and senior executives have been persuaded to do something. These moral champions need our support and we should do more to encourage discussion of these issues throughout our organizations. If not, many of these worthy initiatives will be run solely for PR purposes, or simply to suit the egos of some higher up and assuage their feelings of guilt every time they collect a huge bonus. They will end up as token efforts with little — or at best sporadic — benefit when they have the potential to do so much more. Next time you see one of these programmes highlighted within your company, why not look beyond the headlines that your company chooses to publicize and determine whether you think it is going to make a real difference. If not, why not gently point out your views? When you attend job interviews and are given the usual spiel about how wonderful the company is, why not enquire about these issues? Many people are now choosing to work for companies that at least try to run initiatives in needy areas of the world. Some companies even run programmes where employees are encouraged to be involved in charitable initiatives for set periods during the year. If we do not accept these opportunities when offered then senior executives will lose interest in them. Making it personal If you are one of those people who continues to feel frustrated that your company is not doing anything on this front, but you have the ambition to do more on a personal level then you should know that you are not alone. There are increasing numbers of individuals in the pharmaceutical industry who are using their own free time to contribute towards healthcare initiatives being run on a not-for-profit basis. Some organizations such as OneWorld Health (www.oneworldhealth.org) were started by people from the pharmaceutical industry who wanted to make a difference — and they still welcome voluntary contributions in terms of skills. Personnel from the pharmaceutical industry have vital expertise that is needed by these organizations to fine tune their philanthropic goals. These opportunities can even be personally rewarding as you find your occasional input appreciated far more than in your day job! People in the pharmaceutical industry are not responsible for the unfortunate healthcare situation that exists throughout the world, and we should be careful not to be made to feel ‘overly’ guilty, even if someone within the sector acts inappropriately. Ultimately, it is governments and international bodies that have the real power to improve healthcare access in disadvantaged regions. However, we do have the power to do more on a personal level within the pharmaceutical industry to help improve the global healthcare situation and we should not hide behind the inactions of many of our organizations. We should use available opportunities to ask our company managers about their activities in the healthcare access field and try and move the debate forward. Furthermore, if initiatives are being run we need to take a more active role in supporting and growing them. In addition, it is perhaps time that the pharmaceutical industry as a whole apply more pressure on governments to improve healthcare access — as they have the most direct contact with the nations in question. The media may continue to criticize the pharmaceutical industry regarding the lack of access to healthcare in developing countries, but if you are doing ‘your bit’ to improve the situation then you should not feel guilty. The media may continue to criticize the pharmaceutical industry regarding the lack of access to healthcare in developing countries, but if you are doing ‘your bit’ to improve the situation then you should not feel guilty. One person alone cannot change the world, but the actions of lots of individuals thinking along the same lines will. PT References 1. Pfizer planning more job cuts? www.in-pharmatechnologist.com 2. AZ and BMS job cuts add to big pharma woes. www.drugresearcher.com www.ptemagazine.com 11 http://www.oneworldhealth.org http://www.in-pharmatechnologist.com http://www.drugresearcher.com http://www.ptemagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technologist - January 2008

Pharmaceutical Technologist - January 2008
Contents
Editor's Comment
News
Morpheus
Market Watch
Lagging Japanese Drug R&D
Croatia’s Innovation
Integrating PAT with Biopharmaceutical Development and Manufacture
Q&A

Pharmaceutical Technologist - January 2008