In this, the first instalment of results from the 2006 Pharmafocus & InPharm Career Survey, we will  reveal what people’s priorities are for a fulfilling job, their likes and dislikes, their views on career progression and how they are rewarded by their companies.

But first some details on our respondents, and why their number and range has confirmed the Career Survey as the most comprehensive review of UK pharmaceutical opinion of its kind.

Thoughts were offered from everyone from the chief executives of ethical pharmaceutical companies to senior managers in biotech companies, to executives in the service sector.

Over 1,000 people entered the survey. All walks of pharma life were represented, with company types split as follows: 23% ethical; 16% ethical and OTC; 8% biotech; 1% diagnostic; 4% medical devices; and 1% OTC.

The range of companies that provide vital skills and assistance to pharma were grouped together in the survey as the service sector. In all their diversity they comprised 27% of respondents.

The level of seniority of survey respondents was just as impressive, ranging from chief executives (4%), directors (15%), senior managers (17%), managers (29%), executives (14%), to trainees (4%).

In terms of which departments the survey’s respondents worked in, there was a fairly even split at the top of the table. Senior management (16%) led, followed by marketing (15%), clinical R&D (14%) and sales (11%). Lower down came those involved in the medical department (7%), regulatory affairs (4%), pre-clinical drug discovery (4%) and production and manufacturing (3%).  

The vast majority (81%) of our respondents were in full-time employment, though whether they intend to stay with their current employer is a question looked at in more detail in the following pages. The Careers Survey was completely confidential and conducted online through the Pharmafocus.com and InPharm.com websites between September and December 2005 by Nielsen/Net Ratings.