HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
This occupation usually requires university study in pharmacy, and in many cases additional education or training beyond a bachelor’s degree. Exact requirements can vary by employer and workplace, especially between research, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory roles. Secondary-school students can prepare by taking chemistry, biology, mathematics, and English or French, and by looking for postsecondary programs connected to pharmacy and the life sciences. Helpful experience can come from labs, science clubs, co-op, or summer work in health or research settings. Because the job involves both technical knowledge and teamwork, students should also build communication and problem-solving skills.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Participate in basic research for the development of new drugs
- Formulate new drug products developed by medical researchers
- Test new drug products for stability and to determine their absorption and elimination patterns
- Co-ordinate clinical investigations of new drugs
- Control the quality of drug products during production to ensure that they meet standards of potency, purity, uniformity, stability and safety
- Develop information materials concerning the uses, properties and risks of particular drugs
- Evaluate labelling, packaging and advertising of drug products
- Promote pharmaceutical products to health professionals.
A DAY IN THE LIFE
What a day can include
A day in the life of an industrial pharmacist can change depending on the project. One morning might be spent reviewing test results for a new drug product, while another part of the day could involve checking whether a batch meets quality standards. They may meet with scientists, production staff, or other professionals to discuss findings, and they often document results carefully. If a product is being developed or updated, they may help prepare information about how it should be used and what risks need to be explained. In some roles, they also review packaging, labels, or promotional material to make sure it is accurate. The work is usually a mix of desk-based analysis, meetings, and lab-related tasks.
SKILLS TO BUILD