Erin
Is technology decreasing the number of jobs in the pharmacy field?
Recent news is about a robot who found a cure to cancer it has not been confirmed as the patient died before the treatment was implemented. #medicine #research #biomedical-engineering #pharmacy #pharmaceuticals
2 answers
Svelt Kristof, MSc, CCRA, Consultant
Svelt’s Answer
Robots tend to replace more and more the humans and pharmacological production is already highly automated and robotized. Besides it is easy to outsource it to developing countries where production will cost substantially less. This is not the case for the drug development process, which will stay in the developed countries, where compliance with the strict regulatory requirements can be guaranteed.
Artificial intelligence can speed up the process of drug discovery but this doesn't seem to happen for the moment. On the opposite, the drug development process gets longer and longer, with more and more people involved in it. Before the Y2k it used to take some 6-8 years, but now it is close to 12-14 years and continues to increase.
The explosive development of the science brings more and more clinical trials of new molecules and regulations are constantly getting more stringent. This field has a high shortage of staff, more than 25%. Salaries in this industry are higher than the average salaries and the job of the Senior Clinical Research Associate is among the 10 best jobs in USA. One can get to this level with some 4-5 years experience only.
Michael Trocchia
Michael’s Answer
Yes and No. There will always be a need for pharmacists to dispense products to patients at the retail store. These are very good jobs that pay well and let you work flexible hours. That being said there are also many opportunities to use robotics in the pharmacy environment. Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life!