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Compliance Director

The pharmaceutical industry was a great choice because I get to see and hear how our medicines help people every day, all over the world.

Jacqueline, Compliance Director UK and Ireland

So, what do you do?

I am responsible for maintaining compliance in the multi-country organisation of the UK and Ireland. I am a final signatory in line with PMCPA & MHRA requirements and raise awareness of compliance, ethics and changes in laws and regulations in the organisation. I also regularly perform audits and am part of a Global Compliance Team, focussing on putting patients first and enhancing and maintaining  company reputation. In addition I manage a team responsible for the disclosure of transfers of value as required by EFPIA

What does your typical day involve?

  • Approving cross border use of Health Care Professionals globally
  • Writing or reviewing policies /procedures
  • Attending meetings within the organisation and/or external groups/forums (e.g. ABPI groups)
  • Planning or leading training sessions
  • Liaising cross functionally across the business
  • Dealing with day to day queries

Do you work mostly on your own or as part of team?

I work as part of a team, but my role is very autonomous

How long have you been in your current role?

I have only been in my present role six months  but have been in the field of compliance since 2009. I joined the industry from nursing in 2001.

What qualifications and experience do you have?

  • A Levels
  • Registered Nurse
  • Diplomas in Nursing/Health related areas
  • Teaching and Assessing qualification
  • ABPI Exam for medical representatives

When and why did you decide on a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

I joined the industry after being in the nursing profession for over 20 years; I wanted a change but still wanted to be in an area that would benefit patients.

The pharmaceutical industry was a great choice because I get to see and hear how our medicines help people every day, all over the world.

How has your career developed since you left school, college or university?

My career has continually grown each and every year.

Do you think additional qualifications or experience would be an advantage for someone entering the industry now? What might be valuable?

I think science/health related subjects are always very useful, but there are so many roles in the industry that it does vary role to role

What is it like socially where you work?

It is a very social environment; people are very friendly and easy to work with. We all work hard and sometimes very long hours, but we take time to meet at lunch for a chat or share an evening out sometimes.

What are you most proud of in your career?

My proudest moments remain in my nursing career but in the industry I have twice been rewarded for being in the top 10% of achievers in the company. I have also felt very proud when junior colleagues I have coached have gone on to pass their ABPI exam, especially after having doubted themselves.

What possibilities are there for your career in the future? 

There are possibilities for positions in our global headquarters.

What do you think are the most important skills for someone in your role to have?

The ability to keep calm under pressure, being able to think of the "bigger picture" and having a good sense of humour.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone seeking a career in the pharmaceutical industry?

I would highly recommend doing some research into the industry, find someone already working in the area and quiz them!

Case studies

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Analytical Chemist (Discovery)
  • Animal Technologist
  • Apprentice - Higher Laboratory Scientist
  • Biologist (biomarkers)
  • Biologist (DPMK)
  • Biologist (imaging)
  • BioPharmaceutical Scientist
  • Biostatistics Manager
  • Business Engagement Director
  • Chemical Biologist
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemist (manufacturing)
  • Chemist (process)
  • Chemistry (discovery)
  • Chemistry Outsourcing Manager and Synthetic Chemist
  • Clinical Data Manager
  • Clinical Quality Assurance Advisor
  • Clinical Research Analyst
  • Clinical Research Associate
  • Clinical Research Manager
  • Clinical Research Project Manager
  • Clinical Safety Scientist
  • Clinical Safety Scientist 2
  • Clinical Scientist
  • Clinical trials supplies
  • Commercial Account Manager
  • Commercial Director
  • Compliance Director
  • Contract Manager
  • Data Sciences Manager
  • Director Medical Affairs
  • Drug Safety Associate – Video
  • Drug Safety Officer
  • Epidemiologist
  • Executive Sales Representative
  • Geneticist
  • Graduate Trainee Biologist
  • Graduate Trainee Chemist
  • Graduate Trainee In Vivo Scientist
  • Head of Drug Safety and Local Safety Officer
  • Head of Health Economics
  • Head of Market Access
  • Healthcare Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemist)
  • Industrial Placement (Medicinal Chemistry)
  • Industrial Placement (Regulatory Policy)
  • Industrial Placement Biologist
  • Industrial Placement Chemist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist
  • Industrial Placement Pharmacologist - Respiratory
  • Industrial placement student – biologist
  • Industry Accountant
  • IT Project Manager
  • Laboratory Technician (biology)
  • Laboratory Technician (chemistry)
  • Lean Coach
  • Learning and Development Business Practice Lead
  • Legal Coordinator
  • Manufacturing Operative
  • Market Access Director
  • Mathematical Modeller
  • Medical department intern
  • Medical Director and Managing Director UK & Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Ireland
  • Medical Director UK and Republic of Ireland
  • Medical Information Scientist
  • Medical Physicist
  • Medical Writer
  • Medical writer (freelance)
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Medicinal Chemistry Director
  • Occupational Health Manager
  • Patent Attorney
  • Pharmaceutical Formulation Scientist
  • Pharmaceutical Technologist
  • Pharmacist (formulation)
  • Pharmacist (pre-registration)
  • Pharmacokineticist (DMPK) – Video
  • Pharmacologist
  • Pharmacovigilance Scientist
  • Policy and Public Affairs Manager
  • Product Manager
  • Production Coordinator
  • Project Manager / Director
  • Public Relations Executive
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Quality and Compliance Vice President
  • Regulatory Affairs and Qualified Person
  • Regulatory Affairs Associate
  • Regulatory Affairs Consultant (Freelance)
  • Regulatory Affairs Executive
  • Regulatory Associate
  • Research Project Leader
  • Research Scientist – Video
  • Sales Representative
  • Scientific Affairs Manager (Nutrition)
  • Senior statistician
  • Specialist Medical Representative
  • Statistician
  • Summer placement student
  • Synthetic Medicinal Chemist – Video
  • Toxicologist
  • Toxicologist (Contract Research)
  • Toxicology Study Director
  • Training Director
  • Training Instructor
  • UK and Ireland Medical Director
  • Veterinary Surgeon

ABPI

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales 
(registered number 09826787) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside,105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT.
Telephone +44 (0) 207 9303477

© ABPI 2021
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Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA)

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA) was established by The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to operate the ABPI Code of Practice for the Pharmaceutical Industry independently of the ABPI. The PMCPA is a division of ABPI which is a company registered in England and Wales (registered number 09826787) with its registered office at 7th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QT.

Office of Health Economics (OHE)

The Office of Health Economics (OHE) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (registered number 09848965) and its registered office is at 7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT. OHE provides independent research, advisory and consultancy services on policy implications and economic issues within the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology sectors.