Please introduce yourself and what you do
My name is Liyel Jones, I currently work in Medical Affairs in GI for Reckitt. Quite simply, I use my medical expertise to help launch new products into the market and maintain integrity of current brands. I am involved with providing medical insights to help shape strategy to resolve unmet needs. I am involved with the oversite and compliance of our products. I engage in evidence generation that can drive credibility to our products and I engage with external and internal stakeholders to drive the brand forward.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I enjoy the diversity it brings and the range of people I get to work with, it is a privilege to explain medical science and help reduce patient barriers to access for our medication.
What was your route into industry from education?
I completed my pre-registration training in pharmacy and was looking for a role in industry. I learned about my company culture from an old university friend, in addition to speaking with friends I connected with through Black Pharma who were already in industry working across different sectors.
Did you always aspire to work in pharma?
Yes, I always aspired to work within the industry. I believed there was always something else that could give me a greater influence on patient’s lives than checking and dispensing medication in a pharmacy. I was keen to be involved in the influencing of treatment guidelines and health care professionals
Has your experience in pharma been what you expected or has it been different?
My experience has been a learning curve and broadly what I had expected when I spoke to those who were already working in the industry.
What are your future aspirations with your career in pharma?
There are many opportunities for development, and the industry continues to evolve and introduce new pathways. Therefore, I would say I plan to keep my mind open and keep developing within the industry.
What tips would you give a new starter interested in getting into pharma
The key tips I would give for a new starter is for them to find out what sector of the industry and role they would like to take on. I would encourage them to join groups such as Black Pharma and connect with people already doing those roles, I would then encourage them to think about how their experience can apply to these roles and then stay resilient and apply.
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