Making it my own business: a guide to being a freelance writer in MedComms

By Dr Kathryn White, published April 2022 [Download your copy]

Freelancing in MedComms offers a great way of making a living for medical writers. Reasons for becoming a freelancer are many and varied: redundancy, a long daily commute to the office or changing family commitments. Some people leave employment because of bad experiences with their employers. Others feel they’re moving further away from the work they love as their careers progress and line management responsibilities take precedence. Within organisations, a medical writer’s role may be quite narrow, focusing on one specific type of writing or document or
a particular therapeutic area. Continue reading →

From academic to medical writer: a guide to getting started in medical communications

By Dr Annick Moon, published March 2022 [Download your copy]

This guide focuses on medical writing careers in medical communications, in particular in MedComms agencies. The MedComms industry provides consultancy services to pharmaceutical companies, and the role of the medical writer is to use science and language to deliver these services successfully, while working to the highest ethical standards and adhering to industry regulations and guidelines.

The aim of this guide is to give you the information you need to decide if you are suited to the role of medical writer, and to provide the insider knowledge you need to excel at interview.

This issue includes nine personal profiles written by current medical writing specialists in leading MedComms agencies, describing their personal journeys in to MedComms and the day-to-day work they now do as well as an updated directory of agency contacts. Continue reading →

The business of medical communications: a guide to getting started in account management

By Lindsey Heer, published January 2022 [Download your copy]

As we explain in this guide, the terminology, job titles and specific roles of account managers or project managers in MedComms agencies can vary, but effective account management is always critical. This new guide helps explain how that happens in practice and provides you with an understanding of both the challenges and the rewards that come from a career in MedComms. We believe reading this guide will give you the edge to getting that first job.

This issue includes nine personal profiles written by current specialists in leading MedComms agencies, describing their personal journeys into MedComms and the day-to-day work they now do, and an up-to-date directory of agency contacts. Continue reading →

Ensuring timely dissemination of research: a guide to working as a medical publications professional

By Dr John P Gonzalez CMPP, 2nd edition published October 2021 [Download your copy]

The aim of this guide is to provide an overview of medical publications management. As well as explaining the processes and the regulatory environment, we provide a number of profiles from specialist medical publications professionals that give valuable insights into the various different roles involved to help you determine if you’d like to join the team.

The 2nd edition of this careers guide about working as a medical publications professional is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in October 2021, and it will now be updated every year.

This issue includes six personal profiles written by medical publications professionals, describing their personal journeys and the day-to-day work they now do.

Publication of this careers guide has been supported by Envision Pharma Group.

[DOWNLOAD THE CAREERS GUIDE HERE] Continue reading →

A writer’s role in drug development: a guide to getting started in regulatory medical writing

By Dr Debbie Brix Reynolds, 3rd edition published September 2021 [Download your copy]

This guide aims to provide an insight into regulatory medical writing with a focus on drug development as opposed to medical devices, although writers work in both areas. It explores the roles and attributes of the writer, tips on winning your first regulatory writing role and help in deciding whether this would be the career for you, drawing comparisons with working in MedComms.

The 3rd edition of this careers guide about regulatory medical writing is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in September 2021, and it will now be updated every year.

Publication of this careers guide has been supported by Insight Medical Writing

[DOWNLOAD THE CAREERS GUIDE HERE] Continue reading →

Evidence generation and communication: a guide to getting started in HEOR/market access medical writing

By Linda Harrison, 4th edition published June 2021 [Download your copy]

This guide focuses on medical writing roles in the HEOR/market access arenas, but will be of interest to anyone who wants to understand more about the business of ensuring access to new medicines and devices for patients. If you have an interest in the commercial aspects of healthcare delivery and in helping deliver value to patients, a passion for writing and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, then working in HEOR/market access might be for you. This guide will provide you with an in-depth introduction to this specialist area.

This issue includes twelve personal profiles written by current specialists in leading HEOR/market access companies, describing their personal journeys and the day-to-day work they now do.

The fourth edition of this careers guide about HEOR and market access medical writing is freely available here, published by Burntsky Ltd in June 2021, and it will now be updated every year.

[DOWNLOAD THE CAREERS GUIDE HERE] Continue reading →