My Life in the Balance Fiona Steinkamp PhD Medical Writer Envision Pharma Ltd

1. My Life in the Balance Fiona Steinkamp PhD Medical Writer Envision Pharma Ltd Horsham, West Sussex

2. My Background – From Arts to Science • MA in German and Philosophy (Dundee) • PhD in Philosophy (Dundee) • Tutorial Assistant in Philosophy (2 years) • Diploma in Logic and Information Technology • Contract Research Worker in Psychology at Edinburgh University (8 years)

3. Why Medical Writing? • Untenable to be on contracts for another 20+ years, teaching did not appeal • What did I want from my new career? • Wanted to build on what I had learned over the years • Wanted my PhD to be an asset • Enjoyed writing • Enjoyed travel • Wanted to manage projects rather than people • Remembered article on medical writing in the New Scientist

4. Researching the Career • No information in careers office or in library • Information on European Medical Writers Association website (www.emwa.org) • Browsed medical writing job websites: • www.emwa.org • www.pharmiweb.com • www.inpharm.com • There are employment agencies that specialize in medical writing vacancies • Positions are occasionally advertised in The Guardian and in the New Scientist

5. Overcoming the Hurdles • Most advertised posts request experienced medical writers • Read the advertisements carefully – if they say experience is “preferred” or if they request only a year’s experience, it is worth applying even if you don’t have any agency/pharmaceutical experience • No background in pharmacology? • Most writers often have to write on areas in which they have no previous experience. If you can demonstrate an understanding of scientific methodology/terminology and an ability to learn quickly, lack of medical expertise is often not a hurdle

6. Working in a Medical Communications Agency • Can be more varied than work in a pharmaceutical company • Work includes: • Assisting with writing up clinical trials and review articles for publication • Liaising with client (eg, pharmaceutical company) • Liaising with authors (eg, university academics) • Articles are often published in major medical journals • Preparing posters and handouts • Preparing slides and slide notes for oral presentations • Writing newsletters • Suggesting content and organizing written materials for meetings, including provision of on-site assistance • And more (eg, abstracts, clinical trial compendia, conference proceedings, executive summaries, pitches, marking up materials for legal approval…)

7. Working for Envision Pharma • Less emphasis on regulatory documentation and Phase I-IV clinical trial reports than in some other agencies • Diversity of services from medical communications, to event management, software provision, and opinion leader relationship marketing • Clients include the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies • A humane employer with a non-hierarchical structure and a desire not to overload employees • Charity and social events are held at various points through the year • Growing company with offices in the US and the UK – when I joined in Apr 2003, the UK office had 8 employees; in Jan 2006, it had 30 employees (and expanding) • Many employees were postdoctoral contract research workers before becoming medical writers • Envision Pharma will consider applications from well-qualified individuals with a flair for scientific writing and an eye for detail at any time