Synergy of science, health and development. UW Faculty of Management experts on challenges in the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical market has been undergoing dynamic changes over the past few years, driven by advances in science, changing health needs and evolving business strategies. Innovations in research and development, an aging population and new regulations are shaping the future of this exciting industry. Medicine and business are key spheres for the good functioning and development of society. Nowadays, science and entrepreneurship are closely intertwined, and building bridges between them, sharing ideas, knowledge and resources, is essential for progress. These topics were the main point of discussion at the conference "Medicine, Pharmacy and Business - Synergy of Science, Health and Development," held at the Faculty of Management of the University of Warsaw.

"The panel on the evolution of consumer behavior in pharmacies shows how many people today are actively and consciously seeking solutions to live longer in health. The research shows that we can divide Poles into loyal patients, healthy consumer enthusiasts and pragmatic patients. This is interesting data, as it shows our approach to health well-being, but also the outlook of the pharmaceutical market and consumer demand. Thanks to the lecture on advertising, meanwhile, we were able to explore the legal issues related to this field. People's health, the development of science and opportunities for commercialization are in synergy today like never before," - says Monika Skorek, Ph.D., UW Professor, Associate Dean of the UW Faculty of Management and head of the postgraduate program Marketing of Pharmaceutical Products.

Next-generation pharmacy

The first thematic panel, chaired by Anna Kowalczuk, PhD, entitled "Next-generation pharmacy and management excellence - people, private label, scientific projects," covered topics related to project management and private label promotion in the context of scientific work. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the latest next-generation drugs and scientific project management methods.

A presentation was also given by Prof. Dr. Krzysztof Marycz, CEO and founder of the International Institute of Translational Medicine (MIMT), representing the University of California at Berkeley and HAAS Business School (USA). During his speech, he presented issues related to biological medicines and challenges for non-medical professions. Prof. Marycz pointed out that pharmacists should know the mechanisms of action of biological drugs, their indications and contraindications. According to him, key competencies in this area include clinical knowledge, patient management skills or knowledge of regulations.

Challenges of the transition period

The second part of the event, "Challenges of the transition period for medical device manufacturers according to MDR and IVDR regulations," focused on medical device regulations. Discussions covered the new requirements facing manufacturers under the new regulations.

Professional pharmacy

The panel "Professional Pharmacy: legal, psychological and consumer aspects" presented the results of research on pharmacy customer behavior. Also discussed were innovative marketing tools that are applied in the pharmacy market, influencing customer interactions and improving the quality of services provided.

The evolution of health care

The conference closed with a panel entitled "The evolution of health care - finances, transformations, health care delivery," led by Prof. Józef Haczynski, MD. Discussions covered changes in health care financing, organizational transformations and the future of health care delivery.

"The Faculty of Management at the University of Warsaw has been involved in educating executives from the health care sector and the pharmaceutical market for 20 years. Now we want to engage even more strongly in areas such as medicine, pharmacy and business. Our conference was packed with topics on next-generation pharmacy, challenges for medical device manufacturers and the evolution of healthcare, but this is just a foretaste of what students will be exposed to in the course of the postgraduate program - Marketing of Pharmaceutical Products. The one-year study program we have prepared guarantees solid knowledge and opens up numerous opportunities on the job market, giving graduates a competitive advantage," - says Prof. Dr. Grzegorz Karasiewicz, Dean of the UW Faculty of Management.

Marketing of pharmaceutical products at WZ UW

The future of the pharmaceutical market will be shaped by the continued development of innovative therapies and ensuring their availability and affordability worldwide. A key element will be cooperation between the public and private sectors to effectively address the challenges facing the industry. A new postgraduate course at the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Management - Marketing of Pharmaceutical Products - is the answer to business needs. The program develops students' marketing skills, offering the highest level of knowledge in line with the realities of the Polish market.

After completing the course, graduates have a wide range of employment opportunities in various sectors of the pharmaceutical market and related industries. They can realize themselves in pharmaceutical corporations in marketing and sales departments, creating and implementing marketing strategies. In research and development (R&D) divisions, they can collaborate on researching new drugs and promoting innovative solutions. Jobs at marketing and PR agencies specializing in pharmaceuticals offer opportunities for creating marketing campaigns, branding and PR communications, as well as managing online campaigns, social media, SEO/SEM and content marketing. At pharmaceutical wholesalers and distribution companies, graduates can deal with planning and implementing sales strategies, working with pharmacies and hospitals.

Pharmacies and pharmacy chains also offer opportunities in local marketing, creating promotional campaigns and managing customer relationships, as well as in optimizing assortments and promoting OTC products. Health organizations, such as research institutes and scientific units, offer cooperation in R&D projects and scientific marketing, and NGOs are involved in health promotion and education campaigns.

Graduates can also find work in startups and innovative projects, such as in biotech companies bringing new products to market, or in telemedicine, marketing health services online. The possibilities are endless, and the ever-evolving pharmaceutical industry still needs experts with up-to-date and established knowledge.