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Profile: Louise, 37 Studied: Genetics, University of Nottingham Position: Health Outcomes Advisor, Lilly Time in Industry: 15 Years |
When I graduated, a pharmaceutical company sponsored me to work at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham as a medical technician on a clinical trial. A year later, I joined the industry as a clinical data monitor and worked my way up through the clinical research route. During this time, I attained a lead role which involved going out on site, managing the clinical trial, checking the data and so on.
After seven years, I joined Lilly as a project leader and was responsible for co-ordinating and setting up the trials. At the same time, I studied part time for an MSc in Health Economics; this led to my involvement in health outcomes in 2005.
Health outcomes research is more to do with pricing, reimbursement and access of medicines. By the time I studied for my MSc I was ready for a change in career but I wanted to stay within the industry. I enjoy knowing that I am helping to create and improve access to medicines. Plus there are lots of opportunities to move up and sideways. Regulations were becoming increasingly stringent and so this seemed like a topical area to try and get my head round!
Lilly welcomes graduates and has a training scheme in place. It also takes students on summer programmes. I’d strongly recommend that candidates attempt to enrol on one of these. It provides an idea of how we work and an opportunity to meet and talk with more experienced staff to get an insight to future progression.
What has aided your career?
My masters degree. It was a huge achievement for me to go back to university 10 years after I graduated, and I continued working alongside my studies. The qualification has allowed me to move within Lilly and it’s provided more opportunities than if I’d just stayed in clinical research.
