CAREER PROGRESSION BEYOND UK BORDERS? Factors to consider when applying for international roles By Julia Day
For many professionals, the opportunity to work in a different country for at least part of their career is hugely appealing. This article looks at considerations for medical information (MI) and pharmacovigilance (PV) professionals seeking to move from a role in the UK to one overseas. A global workplace
languages are always useful where teams are cross cultural. The ability to speak the host country’s native language also helps, of course, to integrate more easily into social environments.
The pharmaceutical and medical communities are truly global, and recruiting companies understand that securing the right candidate often requires a worldwide search. At CK Clinical we’ve seen a trend in new medical information / affairs and safety roles in Switzerland and Germany, mainly owing to the Head Offices in question being situated in these two countries. Interestingly, though, at least half of the candidates we have placed in these roles have been from the UK.
MI professionals • What’s the set-up of your current UK medical team and what do you take accountability for within that? • Are you able to demonstrate an active role in escalated enquiry responses and the adaptation of medical materials for local or regional use?
The experience gained from working on an international assignment, possibly with regional variations, could position a candidate well against those who remain in the UK throughout their career. Similarly, it may afford the opportunity to work on a wide range of products before they are released in the UK.
• Are you involved with code governance and does this relate to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) as well as the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)? If not the EFPIA, what accountability do you have with the ABPI compliance from a medical information or medical affairs perspective?
Skills assessment When working with a professional who is considering a career overseas, CK Clinical poses the following questions:
• Are you responsible for a given therapy area and does that responsibility extend to being the internal point of contact for that therapy, either locally or regionally?
PV professionals • How quickly can you get up to speed with that country’s legislation?
• Are you fluent in any other languages? Whilst there may be no requirement to work in any language other than English in international roles, the ability to speak a second language is expected for local roles.
• Can you demonstrate subject matter expertise, e.g. in clinical safety, data interpretation, signal detection activities or the interpretation of regulatory aspects of clinical safety? How easily can this be translated into responsibilities at a global level?
Personal decisions Relocating to a new country of course has an impact on home as well as professional life - both for the individual in question as well as his or her family. Where are the best neighbourhoods? Which amenities are easily accessible? Are there large open spaces? Is there a thriving arts culture? A strong gastronomical scene? An appealing work-life balance? The suitability of a
• Are you prepared and qualified to take on the responsibilities of a global role above and beyond that of a regional or local affiliate role? • Do you speak any other languages? Whilst they are unlikely to be prerequisites for most roles, additional 2
