Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join forces with organizations that regularly train and assist pharmaceutical organizations

Pharma industry associations can provide researchers and other pharma professionals with focus groups for in-depth discussions on wide-ranging topics including excipients, generic pharmaceuticals and natural products chemistry. In addition, researchers can access webcasts, which are pre-recorded online seminars that cover timely issues such as dealing with job loss and salary negotiation tips. Moreover, biotech professionals can train in online or classroom formats.

I recommend: The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists provides members with a global mechanism to share information among scientists such as educational opportunities, career development and professional networking. The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP), a non-governmental, nonprofit organization, is a public standards-setting organization for all prescription and over-the-counter medicines and health care products manufactured or sold in America. The USP education division educates chemists, scientists and practitioners in the United States and worldwide. The USP sets standards recognized globally and used in more than 120 countries.

Monitor research and regulations through training from those that support biotech organizations

Read publications about costs related to disease such as medicines, doctor visits and hospital stays. Learn about benefits achieved through medicinal advances and pharmaceutical research. Understand the processing of analytical technology for the automation of quality assurance and other timely topics through web seminars. Additionally, train through worldwide conferences held on the North American, Asian-Pacific and European continents.

I recommend: Biotech companies can join Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), an organization representing US-based pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. PhRMA advocates public policy to support biotech and pharmaceutical organization discovery of new medicines. Industry professionals can gain a global perspective of regulatory, technical and scientific knowledge about biopharma and pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality through the Parenteral Drug Association.

Interact with pharmaceutical organizations and peers through networking platforms

Gain perspective on a wide range of pharma topics related to medications, prescriptions, adverse effects, journalism and science, population genetics and a vast array of other subjects. Network nationally or internationally to discuss educational trends in the biotechnology industry.

I recommend: Gather information and discuss ideas at Nature Network, a professional networking resource for scientists worldwide. Join an established forum or set up your own networking group to discuss topics of your choice. Join the forum at HealthDigest.org to interact with other industry professionals. Gain additional information in the website's health, medical and drug library.

Guide to Pharmaceutical Organizations

Pharmaceutical organizations offer allied health professionals a wealth of information

By Kelly Shetsky, Anchor/Reporter

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use a pharmaceutical organization to network with other pharm professionals

Biotech organizations run the gamut from local groups to international associations. All have one goal: to further the pharmaceutical industry. They offer members valuable resources and relationships.

I recommend: Use Pharmer as a directory of pharmaceutical associations. The list includes pharmaceutical international organizations and European organizations, in addition to those from close to 30 countries. Join the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to take advantage of continuing education, forums and discussions. Sign up online to attend the FIP conferences.

Pay annual dues to join biotechnology associations

Pharmaceutical industry association dues vary depending on which organization you choose to join.

I recommend: Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) is a professional pharmaceutical association with a mission of empowering members to serve society with strategies and principles improve health care for everyone. Register online for AMCP’s two annual conferences, where you can network with colleagues. You can also take advantage of an online continuing education service for free or use the career center. The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) provides leadership, advocacy, education and resources to further the practice of senior care and consultant pharmacy. Sign up online, but know that membership dues depend on your level of membership, ranging from pledge members who are still in school to active members.

Benefit both professionally and personally by joining biotech associations

Membership benefits to pharmaceutical organizations include reduced registration rates at annual conferences and workshops, access to career centers and newsletters containing information on patent watches, drug delivery and scientific publications.

I recommend: Controlled Release Society (CRS) is one of the biotechnology associations that reach an international audience. Its mission is to promote the technology, science and innovation of bioactives to benefit people all over the world. Become a CRS member online and sign up for upcoming events. Get involved in American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT). Register for scientific sections, committees, become a reviewer or share your expertise. These membership benefits help you interact with colleagues, enhance your knowledge and advance your career. Check out the American College of Clinical Pharmacy's (ACCP) meeting schedule, held in states all over the country.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many pharmaceutical organizations have bookstores on their websites where you can find books to help you further your professional career. Take some time to browse through that section of the website.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)

The International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) is a global federation of national pharmacy associations and scientists. The federation serves thousands of individual members and over 100 organizations to advance pharmacy practice and science.

I recommend: Browse the international pharmacy standards and guidelines that FIP sets to get a better understanding of the federation.

United States Pharmacopeia (USP)

Federal law mandates that all medications produced or sold in the United States must meet United States Pharmacopeia's public standards. UPS is a public health organization whose volunteer experts also conduct programs that test the integrity of pharmaceutical ingredients for manufacturers who want that service.

I recommend: Read more about the impact of the United States Pharmacopeia at the organization's website.

Standards organizations

Standards organizations, also known as standards setting organizations (SSOs), develop or maintain standards for the pharmaceutical industry (and other industries). The groups sometimes establish programs to ensure compliance with their standards.

I recommend: Jennings, Strouss & Salmon goes over some of the benefits and risks of joining SSOs.

Parenteral Drug Association (PDA)

The Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) is a non-profit founded in 1946 that provides education, training and information for the advancement of the pharmaceutical industry.

I recommend: Discover the organization's mission, vision and history at Parenteral Drug Association (PDA).

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

APhA is the oldest and largest U.S. professional society of pharmacists. It serves to advance the use of medicines and improve patient care with education and advocacy.

I recommend: Read about membership benefits at the American Pharmacists Association, such as continuing education opportunities and informational resources.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) was founded in 1932 and operates in the United States to accredit pharmacy degree programs and continuing education providers.

I recommend: Visit Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education get information on the organization's mission.

Accrediting organizations

Some pharmaceutical organizations are among the 60 program accrediting organizations in the United States. This means they review the pharmacy education program to ensure its quality. Once approved, the program provider can let the public know that it is accredited, which is important to potential students and employers hiring graduates.

I recommend: Get more details on accreditation from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.