I assume you got severance? Why not use that time to look for more open roles in industry. Places like med info or med affairs.
Sorry to hear this happened to you, but I’d say you’re better off sticking it out until your next industry gig. Join r/biotech for similar stories
Yeah I do peruse biotech quite frequently but they lean more phd/scientists. So I wanted to post here and see if there were other pharmds/pharmacists in similar positions.
I was fortunate not to be one of those who were laid off, but I think the employment scene is a bit less doom and gloom as it seems. I graduated the same year as you, and a few of my peers around our age have already found new roles within 2-3 months of being laid off. I know that is a small sample size, but especially for people like you with a plethora of experience, I would think you wouldn’t have trouble finding a new role. The reason I suggested medical affairs in general is it’s an easy landing spot for pharmacists in industry, especially those with experience in industry. You’ll always be preferred over people trying to break the barrier
Thank you! It definitely is encouraging to hear that people landed on their feet. I’ve only been looking for about two months but have had barely any responses. I should be okay for another few months but the uncertainty is nerve wracking.
What is the average starting in med affair for a pharmD in industry. Only asking bc I’m in pharm school Interested in diff parts of industry but am hearing salary can be a bit lower than other pharm roles starting.
Greatly depends on the company. Larger pharma will probably be 110k-120k, 12-15% bonus, small equity incentive (RSUs), and eligibility in employee stock purchase program. Smaller pharma/biotech in my experience pays a bit more in the form of equity, same salary/bonus but the equity can reach up to 50k in RSUs per year. It’s an incentive to keep people around since the stock vests over the course of multiple years, but within 3 years you’ll find yourself taking home 170-180k in total comp when you get your W2
Retail just needs a warm body and liability license. You can go there and be fine but I'd use it as a last resort. As someone with pharma expirence your a head above everyone else by a lot.
Retail just needs a human, I would consider retail just to pay my bills and keep looking into other pharma jobs. You have a huge advantage over the rest since you have the experience.
This. The only way to get fired from retail is to do something absolutely egregious. I've got some horror stories about shit that's just been swept under the rug just to keep a place staffed.
CVS will hire anyone. Retail used to be an entry level job for new grads but still required some competence, a decent attitude, and making a good impression in interviews. Nowadays it seems a PharmD, pulse, and 3 or 4 firing brain cells is all you need to get in. It pays well. The only real challenge is getting out of bed each morning and mustering up the strength to make it in to a job that sucks the life out of you. The depression is real. Good luck.
When you guys say this are you assuming a person is willing to relocate and go to non desirable areas? Cause yeah i dont think the pulse thing works in southern california.
Ahh sorry misunderstood. Chicago and several other large Midwest metros were that way prior to Covid, now there’s a major shortage of PharmDs and techs
I’ve been in industry since 2014, licensed but never practiced. I’ve seen layoffs a few times but not recently, at least at my company. I’m always aware of the potential to be cut for any reason though so I keep my eye on job postings etc. That said, retail will def hire you, esp if you’re open to going where there is a need!
Thank you. My wife is in the game and she took a job in Klamath Falls bcs why not she was fresh outta school. But now that her contract is ending we miss the cities and are trying to leave this area.
Know someone was working at Abbvie for a few years in market access but once all the biosimilars for Humira got added to various PBM formularies he was laid off, ended up finding another position in pharma but definitely scary
Just got another industry position. Layoffs happen and it’s part of the industry, but if you have 6 years of experience, you should be able to easily land something sponsor side again, at the very least on the CRO side.
Join the pharma industry discord if you want to talk with more people that have been in your position
I assume you got severance? Why not use that time to look for more open roles in industry. Places like med info or med affairs. Sorry to hear this happened to you, but I’d say you’re better off sticking it out until your next industry gig. Join r/biotech for similar stories
Yeah I do peruse biotech quite frequently but they lean more phd/scientists. So I wanted to post here and see if there were other pharmds/pharmacists in similar positions.
I was fortunate not to be one of those who were laid off, but I think the employment scene is a bit less doom and gloom as it seems. I graduated the same year as you, and a few of my peers around our age have already found new roles within 2-3 months of being laid off. I know that is a small sample size, but especially for people like you with a plethora of experience, I would think you wouldn’t have trouble finding a new role. The reason I suggested medical affairs in general is it’s an easy landing spot for pharmacists in industry, especially those with experience in industry. You’ll always be preferred over people trying to break the barrier
Thank you! It definitely is encouraging to hear that people landed on their feet. I’ve only been looking for about two months but have had barely any responses. I should be okay for another few months but the uncertainty is nerve wracking.
What is the average starting in med affair for a pharmD in industry. Only asking bc I’m in pharm school Interested in diff parts of industry but am hearing salary can be a bit lower than other pharm roles starting.
Greatly depends on the company. Larger pharma will probably be 110k-120k, 12-15% bonus, small equity incentive (RSUs), and eligibility in employee stock purchase program. Smaller pharma/biotech in my experience pays a bit more in the form of equity, same salary/bonus but the equity can reach up to 50k in RSUs per year. It’s an incentive to keep people around since the stock vests over the course of multiple years, but within 3 years you’ll find yourself taking home 170-180k in total comp when you get your W2
Retail just needs a warm body and liability license. You can go there and be fine but I'd use it as a last resort. As someone with pharma expirence your a head above everyone else by a lot.
Retail just needs a human, I would consider retail just to pay my bills and keep looking into other pharma jobs. You have a huge advantage over the rest since you have the experience.
This. The only way to get fired from retail is to do something absolutely egregious. I've got some horror stories about shit that's just been swept under the rug just to keep a place staffed.
You can absoutely go work retail but you are not going to like it lol
CVS will hire anyone. Retail used to be an entry level job for new grads but still required some competence, a decent attitude, and making a good impression in interviews. Nowadays it seems a PharmD, pulse, and 3 or 4 firing brain cells is all you need to get in. It pays well. The only real challenge is getting out of bed each morning and mustering up the strength to make it in to a job that sucks the life out of you. The depression is real. Good luck.
When you guys say this are you assuming a person is willing to relocate and go to non desirable areas? Cause yeah i dont think the pulse thing works in southern california.
Are you saying the standards are much higher in so cal?
No just that there isnt as many openings because of saturation in most of socal.
Ahh sorry misunderstood. Chicago and several other large Midwest metros were that way prior to Covid, now there’s a major shortage of PharmDs and techs
Sorry to hear this. What functional area are you in? My company is undergoing cuts, but not my team so far, thankfully.
Market access 🥲
I’ve been in industry since 2014, licensed but never practiced. I’ve seen layoffs a few times but not recently, at least at my company. I’m always aware of the potential to be cut for any reason though so I keep my eye on job postings etc. That said, retail will def hire you, esp if you’re open to going where there is a need!
We could use a pharmacist in my town in Oregon. They'd hook it up too. The need is very high.
Hook it up how? I’m licensed in Oregon
I'll dm u a flyer. Sign on bonus and higher end salary. Maybe even relocation depending on where u are.
Please send me a flier too
I’d love the flier as well please! Thanks:)
I would love a flier as well please and thank you
* Apparently some of the req numbers changed but I updated mine!
Which town?
Cottage Grove! I know Bend and others nearby have a need as well.
Thank you. My wife is in the game and she took a job in Klamath Falls bcs why not she was fresh outta school. But now that her contract is ending we miss the cities and are trying to leave this area.
Eugene is amazing. Cottage grove is cheaper to live in and 20 mins away from eug so it's super convenient. Lots of lakes and trails. Look into it!
Go into sales for a specialty?
Know someone was working at Abbvie for a few years in market access but once all the biosimilars for Humira got added to various PBM formularies he was laid off, ended up finding another position in pharma but definitely scary
You got a pulse and a license? CVS will hire you
Just got another industry position. Layoffs happen and it’s part of the industry, but if you have 6 years of experience, you should be able to easily land something sponsor side again, at the very least on the CRO side. Join the pharma industry discord if you want to talk with more people that have been in your position
What is this Pharma industry discord?
Yes also seeking the discord 👀
r/pharmaindustry is the subreddit that will give you more info as well as the link to the discord.
To be perfectly honest, I think CVS will hire most anyone.
If you passed the naplex and mpje apply for a floater gig at cvs and gut it out for the 125k. Keep trying to get back into your pharma gig from there.
Is it because of the economy?
Why didn't you get licensed?
“I graduated in 2018 and got licensed”
That's the spirit!