Versatile pharmacy internships at Bayer Vital
Hello everybody. we are Carlotta, Sajra, Birk and Mara, have studied pharmacy and opted for Bayer Vital for our practical year, to get to know the diverse fields of activity in an innovative and large pharmaceutical company apart from laboratory work.
Bayer Vital is the German sales company of Bayer AG which represents the interface between Bayer, the healthcare professionals and patients. We worked in Marketing Neurology, Scientific Affairs Consumer Health and Medical Science Liaison.
Pharmaceutical marketing – from the general website to specialist medical information
Hello, my name is Carlotta Schreeck and I studied in Würzburg. In the Neurology Marketing Department I supported the product managers of Betaferon® and Leganto®. I was allowed to look over their shoulders and accompany them in meetings. I had my own projects and for example the responsibility for implementing the content was transferred to the new website. Otherwise I conducted research, compiled and designed materials for the field service or dealt with technical information and guidelines. One day I was allowed to accompany the sales force to visit the doctor.
In pharmaceuticals division marketing product managers are responsible for working with the medical and legal departments to develop strategies and materials for the field force with the help of which the pharmaceutical representatives inform doctors. In addition direct patient communication is also taken care of. It has been a very varied six months learning a lot about pharma marketing and the partner departments that work with them. This half-year has also helped me in the decision-making process regarding my future job.
Scientific Affairs Consumer Health – on Scientific Affairs
My name is Sajra Huskic and I have completed an internship in the department of Scientific Affairs Consumer Health for the last half year. This is the medical-scientific department which is responsible for the over-the-counter medicines of Bayer Vital. My tasks included for example the evaluation of clinical studies, comprehensive research on scientific topics as well as the answering of inquiries from doctors, pharmacists and end consumers. Furthermore I supported my department in the planning and execution of various workshops and knife events and made scientific papers on new product ideas. Due to Bayer’s diverse product portfolio in the area of self-medication I was able to get to know a wide range of different indication areas and deepen my knowledge of the development and proper handling of medical-scientific information. I particularly liked the varied working day, the close cooperation with the various departments as well as an always motivated and goal-oriented work environment. The highlights of my internship included participation in Expopharm, Europe’s largest pharmaceutical trade fair in Munich, as well as the training week for practical dermatology and venereology.
Medical Liaison – close contact with decision makers
We – Mara Diekmann and Birk Soicke – have decided to spend half of the practical year in the department of Medical Science Liaison (MSL). Since this field of activity is not a classical subject of study, we had only a few previous knowledge. The MSL managers act as a contact for key physicians in specific indications, providing an important interface between the company and healthcare professionals. They are typically less present at the desk but attend doctor’s visits, plan and organize events, and participate in congresses. The mediation and discussion of medical-scientific information, e.g. on study data, the indication and the drug application are in the foreground. One of our main tasks was the preparation of information regarding existing and future medicines. An extension of the indication led to particularly exciting work on currently discussed study results. We also had the opportunity to participate in relevant events and to gain interesting insights into the medicines that are awaiting approval. Through regular team meetings – for example in Hamburg and Monheim – we got to know the whole team better.
What we liked very much
We especially liked that the internship is not limited to working in one department. There are regular events in which the various departments present their tasks. This gives a good overview of the fields of activity of a pharmacist in the industry – even outside of the work in the laboratory. You also have the opportunity to get to know the other Bayer locations. For example, an internship bike ride to the plant in Monheim takes place in the summer. Furthermore you get the opportunity to get to know the research and development center in the Wuppertal factory.
The interns are well connected with one another during their free time. There is a weekly regulars’ table to which all come together and for example sit comfortably on the Rhine or have lunch together in the casino.
We can certainly recommend the internship at the Bayer Vital to prospective pharmacists. Here you will find a pleasant working environment, flexible working hours and a great opportunity to socialize. One can apply and expand the knowledge acquired from the study. If we were not already here we would come here. Finally an application is absolutely worthwhile!
This post is also available in: German
