What is Medical Writing & How to Find a Medical Writing Job? | Pharmaceutical Industry Advice

Summary

This video delves into the world of medical writing, an essential yet often overlooked aspect of clinical research. The host explains the role of medical writers in creating protocols, research reports, and safety updates, emphasizing the need for strong medical terminology. They also discuss the importance of medical writers in formulating drug labels and clinical study reports, highlighting the career opportunities available for those with advanced degrees in relevant fields. The video provides insights into the qualifications, salary expectations, and the potential for freelance work in this specialized writing field.

Takeaways

• 😀 Medical writing is an integral part of the clinical research space, responsible for creating protocols and clinical research reports.
• 🔍 Medical writers need a strong grasp of medical terminology to formulate wording for drug applications and other reports.
• 📚 The role involves creating various types of reports, including annual reports, developmental safety update reports, and investigator brochures.
• 💼 Medical writers play a crucial role in developing drug labels, which include information from clinical research reports.
• 📈 They work alongside biostatisticians and other professionals to translate complex study results into digestible forms.
• 📋 The script mentions the structure of an eCTD (electronic Common Technical Document), highlighting the different modules medical writers may contribute to.
• 🎓 Common qualifications for medical writing roles often include advanced degrees, reflecting the specialized knowledge required.
• 💰 The national average salary for a medical writer is about $107,000 per year, with potential for higher earnings through freelance work.
• 🌐 Entry-level positions exist, but higher positions may require more experience or a pharmaceutical background.
• 📝 Medical writing is a dynamic career that offers daily learning opportunities about disease states, drugs, and products.
• 📢 For those with relevant educational backgrounds in pharmacology, chemistry, or biology, medical writing could be a suitable career path to explore.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the Career Savage YouTube channel?

The Career Savage YouTube channel provides relevant and up-to-date career advice for working professionals and college students, helping them make well-informed decisions about their careers.

What role do medical writers play in the clinical research space?

Medical writers are responsible for creating clinical trial documents, including protocols, clinical research reports, annual reports, and developmental safety update reports. They play a crucial role in formulating the wording for everything in a drug application, including product labels and patient information leaflets.

What skills are important for a medical writer?

Medical writers need strong medical terminology skills and the ability to effectively and clearly describe research results, product use, and other medical information in a digestible form. They must also be familiar with clinical research and regulatory requirements.

What are some specific documents that medical writers are responsible for?

Medical writers are responsible for documents such as clinical study reports, non-clinical study reports, investigator brochures, protocols, developmental safety update reports, and various modules of an electronic common technical document (eCTD), including summaries and chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) sections.

What is the eCTD and what role do medical writers play in it?

The eCTD (electronic Common Technical Document) is a standardized format for submitting applications to regulatory agencies. Medical writers contribute by writing clinical and non-clinical study reports, summaries, and other sections within the eCTD modules.

How does medical writing differ between small and large pharmaceutical companies?

In large pharmaceutical companies, medical writing is often highly specialized, with medical writers focusing on specific types of documents. In smaller companies, medical writers may have broader responsibilities, sometimes writing protocols and study reports, and often working closely with other roles in the company.

What qualifications are commonly required for medical writing roles?

While there are entry-level roles, many medical writers have advanced degrees, such as a PharmD, PhD, or a Master's in Science. Experience in pharmaceuticals or a background in regulatory knowledge is also often required, as understanding the content that needs to be written is essential.

What is the average salary for a medical writer in the U.S.?

The national average salary for a medical writer in the U.S. is around $107,000 per year. However, this can vary based on factors like experience, specific roles, and location.

What opportunities exist for freelance medical writers?

Freelance medical writers can work independently, often contracting with small pharmaceutical companies or clinical research organizations (CROs). They may charge hourly rates that range from $150 to $200 or more, but they are also responsible for managing their own taxes and benefits.

What are the potential career paths for someone interested in medical writing?

Potential career paths include working in pharmaceutical companies, CROs, regulatory agencies, or as a freelance medical writer. It’s suitable for individuals with a background in biology, chemistry, pharmacology, or other related fields, and who have a strong interest in writing and communicating scientific information.