The exodus of people

Sep/30/2008 05:44
redsea
All too often we hear about people being laid off in pharma and some really believe the good times are over for the pharma industry. In the last couple of days both GSK and Pfizer have announced major cutbacks in staff as a result of the changing business environment but today I received an eMail from someone who has worked in pharma marketing for over 10 years and, after launching a new drug successfully, is looking at the end of her career in pharma. I believe that she is one of the best marketers I have ever met and she really knows the science behind the molecules but if pharma continues to lose people like this than the industry is indeed in real trouble. I want to keep her name out of this but what follows is a copy of her eMail to me.


Richard:

I hope all is well with you and want to let you know that I enjoy reading your blog everyday. After meeting with the head of my department today I learned that the company may not be funding any marketing or scientific programs for my product next year as dollars are being held to both launch new products and meet Wall Street's expectations for the company. Over the last year while preparing to launch my product I have been working 16 hour days often starting my day at 5AM and finishing well after 7PM much to the anguish of my children and husband. My product launched successfully and I looked forward to continuing to work on the product for more indications and get approval around the world. However I was told today that there will be no funding for my product next fiscal year for my molecule which means that I am essentially out of a job. When I asked what this meant I was told to start "networking" to find a new position with the company or try and look for a job at one of our OUS affiliates. After 10 years in pharma marketing with sterling reviews this is the thanks that I get ! Like you I have tried to do what is best for our customers and patients and have been rewarded with the knowledge that I have made a difference in treating a horrible disease. I guess I should have seen this coming but I thought that my experience would be an asset to the company but now I can see that I am seen only as an expendable cost center. I hope the industry gets its act together quickly because no industry can survive the talent drain that is going on within pharma at this time.


WHEW ! Quite a letter ha? There is no doubt that pharma is going through a rough time right now but like Jack Welch says "companies can afford to let average employees go but they have to find a way to hold onto their good people". Too many good people are leaving pharma right now, especially in the marketing area where good talent is hard to find and experience is valuable. The changing business model could be a self fulfilling prophecy as people who can make a difference leave and look for companies where their experience will be valued a lot more than in pharma.
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