Purpose:

A pharmaceutical company is seeking an Information Pharmacist who is responsible for providing a reliable and efficient information service that puts current knowledge of the plasma fractionation industry and plasma derived medicinal products to work in attaining the business and operational goals of company, using current technology and information literacy skills to source, organise, evaluate, package and present information in a way that maximises its usefulness. The Information Pharmacist will be required to apply clinical acumen and knowledge of both the plasma fractionation industry and company's product portfolio to achieve timely and effective provision of a comprehensive clinical service

Key Job Outputs:

Information Resources

• Source, evaluate and disseminate relevant up-to-date information from journals, selected publications, current awareness tools and internet sources to appropriate departments and staff.
• Liaise with the Information Management Officer to ensure circulation of relevant printed and electronic material.
• Research and evaluate textbooks, journals, publications and databases to support clinical and pharmaceutical information needs.
• Monitor plasma fractionation industry-related developments and disseminate relevant information.
• Keep abreast of the local pharmaceutical environment and international competitors that could impact the business.
• Check Medicines Information email and website queries and evaluate, respond or disseminate them appropriately.
• Execute system testing of website resources and communication links and escalate issues where applicable.
• Assist with the cataloguing and maintenance of physical and electronic reference filing systems

Product and Clinical Information

• Research and respond to enquiries and literature requests from internal and external customers within the shortest possible time frame
• Objectively and accurately advise healthcare professionals and organisations on the safe, efficacious and appropriate use of products
• Provide medication and product information assistance across departments
• Compile and present clinical and risk assessment reports based on literature reviews
• Compile clinical dossier modules in the appropriate format
• Ensure appropriate access to and retrieval of current clinical and product information
• Source and disseminate relevant clinical and product information
• Review Professional Information (PI) and Patient Information Leaflets (PILs)
• Review external treatment guidelines and published information applicable to products
• Maintain and update documentation, systems and databases to record, track and trace enquiries
• Extract data from query databases for reporting and audits
• Maintain current clinical knowledge through attendance at conferences, seminars and workshops
• Consult with colleagues, management and healthcare professionals on clinical and product-related matters
• Participate in cross-functional teams to provide clinical insight and support business objectives
• Conduct customer satisfaction surveys to improve information services

Pharmacovigilance

• Facilitate the collection and recording of adverse event reports
• Maintain documentation and systems for adverse event reporting
• Compile adverse event communications and responses
• Generate data for statistical reports and audits
• Support compliance with adverse event procedures, communications and reporting requirements
• Compile clinical risk management plans, risk-benefit assessments, periodic safety update reports and regulatory safety documentation
• Keep abreast of local and international pharmacovigilance regulations and practices
• Maintain electronic registers tracking pharmacovigilance guidelines and regulations
• Identify and report new evidence relating to suspected adverse drug reactions

Education and Training

• Present lectures on the manufacturing, safety and clinical use of plasma-derived products
• Conduct training and continuing education on product clinical aspects, pharmacovigilance and information services
• Identify education and training needs based on frequently received enquiries
• Develop and deliver Continuing Medical Education programmes
• Provide training for Pharmacist's Assistants
• Obtain evaluation and feedback from education and training sessions
• Facilitate the compilation and review of detailing and training resources
• Maintain records of presentations, educational material and training sessions

Core Competencies:

• Managing Relationships
• Personal Leadership
• Good pharmaceutical, clinical and professional knowledge & skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong customer focus
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Advanced communication skills (written, verbal)
• Self-driven and self-motivated
• Shows initiative and flexibility in accomplishing objectives
• Attention to detail, critical and analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Appropriate management of workload
• Building and maintaining value-added partnerships with stakeholders in the public health environment
• Contribution to the continuous provision of a dynamic range of products and services
• Provision of customer service that enables the company to remain efficient and competitive, and that enhances the value of the company's products
• Strict compliance with internal, national and international quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Commitment to the company, its customers and patients
• Ongoing learning to maintain professional registration status, ensure competency and remain empowered to engage with customers in a meaningful way
• Behaviour that is socially and environmentally responsible
• Respect for the scarcity of human plasma as a resource and commitment to the optimisation of its use.
• Care and concern for the wellbeing of fellow employees, company's patients and the wider community.

Qualifications:

• B.Sc. (Pharm) or B.Pharm
• Registered Pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC)
• Registration with the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA)
• Postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacology advantageous

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years' experience in a pharmacy practice environment (retail, hospital or health management organisation)
• MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Literature searching and evaluation skills advantageous
• Bibliographic management software experience advantageous
• Database experience (MS Access or similar) advantageous
• Pharmacovigilance/Drug Safety experience advantageous
• Training and lecturing skills advantageous

Salary: Market related

Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.

All personal information received will be processed in accordance with The Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 OF 2013