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Epidemiology in the pharmaceutical industry.
L H Roht1, L Shinaberry, L Maybury
1Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (formerly Hoechst Mariòn Roussel, Inc.) Kansas City, MO.
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
|November 26, 2008
Summary
Epidemiology is increasingly utilized within the pharmaceutical industry, with 42.7% of surveyed companies employing or contracting epidemiologists. This highlights significant opportunities for these professionals in drug development and safety.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Epidemiology
- Drug Safety
Background:
- The pharmaceutical industry plays a critical role in public health.
- Epidemiology is essential for understanding disease patterns and drug effects.
- The specific application and scope of epidemiology within pharmaceutical companies were not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current practice of epidemiology within the pharmaceutical industry.
- To identify the roles and organizational structures of epidemiologists in pharmaceutical companies.
- To understand the extent of in-house versus contracted epidemiology services.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to member and non-member pharmaceutical companies.
- Screening questions identified companies employing epidemiologists, having departments, or using external services.
- Data collected included organizational structure, roles, activities, and collaborations.
Main Results:
- 90.4% response rate from 83 surveyed companies.
- 40% employed epidemiologists, 20% had dedicated departments, and 36% used external contractors.
- 42.7% of all companies employed or utilized epidemiologists, with variations across company sizes.
Conclusions:
- Epidemiologists fulfill diverse roles within the pharmaceutical sector.
- There are substantial career opportunities for epidemiologists in the industry.
- Growing emphasis on drug safety necessitates increased training and recruitment of epidemiologists.
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