Pharma Jobs In Abroad: Expert Guide for Indians 2024

Latest Facts and News:

• The global pharmaceutical market is projected to reach $1.57 trillion by 2023

• Emerging markets like China and Brazil are seeing rapid growth in pharma job opportunities

• COVID-19 has accelerated demand for vaccine development and manufacturing roles internationally

• Artificial intelligence and data science skills are increasingly valued in the pharma industry

Overview of the Global Pharmaceutical Job Market

The global pharmaceutical market is booming; hence, pharma jobs in abroad are estimated at more than $1.57 trillion by 2023. This growth is fueled by several factors, such as an ageing population, rising healthcare needs, and technological development, such as advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. While emerging markets such as China, Brazil, and India are taking a significant slice of this industry, advanced economies like the U.S. and European countries continue to lead the way.

For Indian professionals seeking to secure top pharma jobs in abroad, it is bright and promising. Companies from countries like America, Canada and Germany are looking for R&D, clinical trial and regulatory affairs professionals. Many of these professionals are also in demand for consultancies in manufacturing, production and quality control. On top of that, some areas are rapidly growing, such as personalised medicine and digital health solutions. There is an increase in demand for those who know how to blend/combine pharma knowledge with AI and data science expertise.

Top Destinations for Pharma Jobs in Abroad for Indians

Professionals of Indian origin intent on working in top pharma jobs abroad seek jobs in countries with excellent pharma industries and promising career paths lined up. Some of the most popular places to work for Pharma jobs for Indian professionals are listed below:

United States

Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Merck are just three of the world’s largest and most powerful pharmaceutical companies, and the United States is home to all three companies. These companies are constantly busy bringing out new research and drug developments. Indian professionals in the U.S. looking for pharma jobs have a wide variety of options as they span roles in R&D, clinical trials, regulatory affairs and quality assurance. Furthermore, salaries in the U.S. are competitive, with research scientists' salaries between $80,000 and $120,000 per annum.

To work in the U.S., Indian professionals generally need an H-1B visa or an O-1 visa, which is for individuals with extraordinary abilities in science or research. While the visa process can be competitive, it’s worth pursuing due to the high demand for pharma expertise and the potential for career growth in the U.S. market.

European Union (Germany, Switzerland, UK)

Major hubs for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe are Germany, Switzerland, and the UK. Companies like Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim are in Germany, while Switzerland hosts giants like Novartis and Roche. These countries are all still in the middle of developing their pharmaceutical market, but their focus is on high-end research, manufacturing and regulatory affairs.

For pharma jobs in abroad for India the European Union also has a wide variety of roles to offer in the pharma arena, such as roles in R&D, clinical research and biotechnology. The EU Blue Card and, in the case of the UK, the Tier 2 Work Visa are common visa routes for Indian professionals looking to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Professionals fluent in German or French will find additional opportunities, particularly in regulatory affairs and quality control roles.

Canada

The Canadian pharmaceutical market is an evolving market that has a strong focus and is very important to generic drug manufacturing and biotechnology. Most Canadian companies, for example, Apotex and Valeant, have a number of roles in drug production, clinical trials, and research. Canada has a good reputation as an immigrant-friendly country, and it is safe to say that it is an excellent destination for Indian professionals who are looking for Pharma jobs abroad. The Express Entry visa program is also quite simple, giving many skilled professionals the chance to immigrate without much hassle, and by doing this, Canada becomes a comfortable option and a wise destination for many.

Now, if we are talking about the salary, then Pharma professionals in research lines receive between CAD 75,000 and CAD 100,000 annually. The country also expresses its interest in healthcare innovation and biotech and continues to offer opportunities for clinical research and drug safety professionals.

Australia

Australia is another attractive destination for Pharma professionals, especially for those who are interested in Clinical research, and regulatory or biopharmaceutical manufacturing, The market here does pretty well in generating revenues because 19 out of 20 of the biggest global pharmaceutical companies are Australian in origin, including CSL Limited. Another reason why Australia should be kept as an option for pharma Jobs abroad for Indians is because of the country’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as it includes pharmaceutical professionals and then makes it easier for Indian Professionals to not only secure a work Visa but also to relocate accordingly and find work more easily.

Salaries in Australia are comparable to those in other Western countries, with roles in regulatory affairs earning between AUD 90,000 and AUD 110,000 per annum.

Singapore

Singapore is a big hub for Asia’s biomedical sciences and possesses good opportunities for Indian professionals to work in pharma jobs abroad.  Singapore's pharmaceutical industry started seeing a boom due to its government-backed initiative to encourage biomedical innovation, and there were roles available in drug development, manufacturing, and quality control. Major companies such as GSK and Pfizer have established themselves through significant operations in Singapore so that professionals can expect good career growth and a competitive salary. 

An important factor to keep in mind is that Indian professionals typically need an Employment Pass to work in Singapore, which is typically required in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals.

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paying Countries For Nurses in 2024: Updated

In-Demand Pharma Jobs for Indian Professionals Abroad

The demand for skilled professionals in the pharmaceutical sector abroad spans a wide variety of roles. Below are some of the most in-demand job categories for Indian professionals:

Research & Development

Pharmaceutical R&D is still the core of the industry and will remain at the top when it comes to jobs that are in demand, such as Pharma jobs for Indian Professionals. This job consists of professionals working on the development of new drugs, treatments and therapies. R&D will play a good role for Indian professionals who have completed advanced degrees in chemistry, biology, and pharmaceuticals. Companies are also specifically looking for people with experience in biotechnology and those who know how to use the application of AI in drug discovery.

Clinical Research

The clinical research sector is booming, and the demand for clinical trials and drug tests is rising worldwide. For those Indian professionals with various field experiences in managing or conducting clinical trials, it will be a good opportunity for them to earn handsomely in this job sector. To pursue this note, you also have to note that knowing the international regulations and proficiency in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is often required to work more smoothly.

Regulatory Affairs

The regulatory affairs job sector is complicated as you have to work your way navigating the complex regulatory landscape of the pharmaceutical industry, which is crucial for getting drugs approved in various markets. Regulatory affairs professionals make sure that the drug aligns with the regulatory standard. Indian professionals with experience in FDA, EMA and other international regulatory frameworks will have an easier time landing these types of pharma jobs in this sector as abroad holds great career opportunities for such professionals, mostly towards the US, Canada and UK countries.

Quality Assurance and Control

The key function of the pharmaceutical industry is to make sure that the pharmaceutical products meet the highest standards. A good candidate for this job is someone with a working knowledge of quality management systems (QMS), Good manufacturing practices (GMP), auditing, etc. Indian professionals looking to work in pharma jobs abroad would find opportunities in this sector across Europe and North America.

Manufacturing and Production

Pharmaceutical manufacturing is the core of Pharma jobs abroad as it involves large-scale production of drugs. Success in landing this job depends on those professionals who have prior experience in process optimisation, scale-up and adherence to GMP standards. Knowing these sectors helps as they are vital for ensuring the efficiency of drug production facilities. Indian professionals who have a background in chemical engineering or pharmaceutical manufacturing and a good record may have found the easiest way to find pharma jobs abroad that are related to manufacturing and production.

Additional jobs or Roles you can pursue 

Here are some of the roles that you can pursue to increase your status in the society

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing manager.

A manufacturing manager in the pharmaceutical industry is the one who oversees the making of drugs, making sure they are efficient and safe and that they follow compliance towards regulations in the manufacturing process. One of the most crucial roles is that they have to check every product gets made according to approved guidelines; otherwise, it will be a huge blunder and a problem they will face on behalf of their superiors who rendered the production of these drugs and medicines. With large-scale drug production being an important industry segment, Indian professionals with experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and operations management are considered apt applicants for the job. These roles are in demand in the U.S., Singapore and Canada.

Clinical Data Manager

Clinical data managers, among other jobs, facilitate the collation, processing and storage of such data from clinical trials. They make sure data generated in clinical trials meet regulatory standards and are accurate and reliable. If seen to be not, then there will be large-scale issues that they will face, considering how important data is when it comes to the pharma sector. This is a critical role during the drug development process, especially making sure that the clinical trials are valid. With a good knowledge of clinical research, coupled with a decent knowledge of how to manage data and crunching for data, Indian professionals with skills in data management are highly sought after in countries like the U.S. and the UK.

Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Manager

Pharmaceutical product supply chain managers ensure that pharmaceutical products are distributed efficiently from manufacturers' sites to healthcare providers and patients. They are responsible for approving supplies and product releases, overseeing inventory management and product logistics, and also handling logistics and supplier relations to ensure products are in, on, and sold on time, as well as in compliance with regulatory standards. Indian professionals who have acquired experience in supply chain management in the pharmaceutical sector are sought after in countries like the U.S., Canada and Australia, where the efficiency of the supply chain is vital to ensure the availability of essential medicines.

Also Read: Doctor Salary in Australia Revealed: Experts Insights 2024

Pharma Jobs in Abroad Salary: Updated

One of the key attractions of pursuing pharma jobs abroad for Indian professionals is the potential for higher salaries. Below is a guide to the typical salary ranges for various roles across some of the top destinations:

(We have provided the stats from verified sites and have also given the site it was taken from in brackets beside every salary)

Factors Affecting Pharma Jobs Compensation

Indian professionals aspiring for a pharma job abroad have several factors that may influence the compensation packages they are offered. These include:

Experience and Expertise: Salary expectations go higher for professionals with certain skills in areas like artificial intelligence, data science or biopharmaceuticals.

Location: Salaries are wildly different from country to country and from city to city, even between the U.S. and Germany, which have much more developed markets.

Cost of Living: In countries with high salaries, such as the U.S. and Switzerland, are often offset by higher living costs, including housing, healthcare, and transportation.

Job Role: There are specific roles like regulatory affairs or pharmacovigilance that generally pay higher because you actually need specialised knowledge if you want to do those things.

Company Size: Large multinational companies like Pfizer or Novartis stand to give you much higher pay than smaller local ones.

Work Permit/Visa: Other countries may even offer additional compensation to expatriates to help offset the cost of relocation and acquiring work visas or work permits.

Requirements for Securing Pharma Jobs in Abroad for Indians

When looking for pharma jobs abroad, Indian professionals need to meet certain qualifications and requirements. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Educational Qualifications

To work in the international pharmaceutical industry, you must first have a solid educational background. A minimum requirement for entry is typically a bachelor's degree in pharmacy (B.Pharm) or a bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology or biotechnology. A master’s degree (M.Pharm) or a PhD is obligatory for many advanced positions, such as in R&D, regulatory affairs, or clinical research. Now, countries like the United States and the European Union value specialised certifications, e.g., pharmacovigilance, clinical research, and regulatory affairs.

Work Experience

Having worked and experienced in sectors related to pharma jobs is very relevant and important. Most companies mentioned in this blog demand at least 2 to 3 years of industry experience and 5 to 10 years of experience for more senior roles. Companies seeking experienced pharmaceutical manufacturing workers, such as in large pharma or clinical trials or with regulatory compliance, are especially in demand abroad. Multinational pharmaceutical companies will ask about your past work. They will look into it through your certificates, so getting the better of them through shortcuts might result in attracting unwanted issues. And those with a track record on global drug development projects might get a better chance at big-name positions.

Language Skills

Considering that you, as an Indian, are looking for pharma jobs abroad, language proficiency might be a significant factor when looking for pharma jobs. English is widespread in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. In contrast, in some European countries – such as Germany, Switzerland and France – proficiency in local languages is usually required and is mandatory. A good example is Germany, where having smooth fluency in German is a mandate if you want to work in Germany’s booming pharmaceutical industry—especially if you are in regulatory affairs or need to work with clients and the authorities.

Visa and Work Permits

Another vital aspect of securing pharma jobs in abroad for Indians — is getting a visa and work permit. Strict visa requirements exist for most foreign professionals in most countries. The Indian professionals, in most cases, typically require an employment visa, often sponsored by the hiring company. For example, the United States makes use of the H-1B visa for skilled professionals, while Canada has the Express Entry program as a pathway for immigrants. In the European Union, professionals often apply for a Blue Card, a work permit designed for highly skilled workers. You must investigate visa conditions and the rules and regulations for the country from which you're applying for a job.

Steps to Find and Apply for Pharma Jobs Abroad

Securing a pharma job abroad requires a strategic approach. Follow these steps to boost your chances of landing a dream job in the global pharmaceutical sector.

Researching Opportunities

The first task to do before going into pharma jobs abroad is to conduct proper and thorough research on the countries you are willing to go for and which roles in those countries best fit your skills and career goals. Job portals like LinkedIn and Indeed, as well as industry-specific platforms like EuroPharmaJobs or PharmiWeb, can be used to discover openings.  Also, always keep an eye on multinational pharmaceutical companies, like Pfizer, Novartis, Roche, etc., which often post international vacancies.

Building a Strong Resume and Cover Letter

International standards need to be tailored to your resume. Emphasise your academic qualifications, work experience, and the skills you bring to the job you’re applying for. Soft skills such as the ability to adapt, cross-cultural communication, and teamwork are sought after by international employers, too. Make your cover letter speak to them about why you are looking for this role and why your skills fit this role. It would be best if you also showed a clear understanding of global drug regulations, and in any case, always highlight the exposure and contacts you have internationally.

Networking and Professional Associations

Networking can significantly increase your chances of getting/finding a job abroad. If you do not know any pharmaceutical companies, Join professional associations like the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) or the Drug Information Association (DIA), which provide access to global job boards, webinars, and networking events. Attending these industry conferences in person or virtually will only help you to build working relationships with professionals who have been working in these areas for a very long time. 

Navigating the Application Process

Once you’ve found the job opportunity, Apply through the company’s job portal or job board. Make sure you include everything you need for your application, such as the required documents, your resume, your cover letter and references. If you are applying, be prepared for multiple rounds of interviews, possibly virtual interviews, technical assessments and perhaps in-person interviews. It can even take several weeks up to months, so be patient and proactive.

Challenges and Considerations for Indian Professionals Working Abroad

Working in pharma jobs abroad can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with challenges that Indian professionals should consider.

Cultural Adjustment

One of the hardest factors we will face will be to adjust to a new culture. Work cultures, communication styles, and norms vary from country to country. For instance, countries like the United States and Canada promote direct communication and individual contribution, while Germany and Japan prefer a hierarchical structure and a collective decision-making method. You must also learn about local culture and adapt to it, as well as what’s needed to be successful in your professional life and stay a healthy person.

Work-Life Balance

Another factor to think about when deciding to work abroad is the work-life balance. Other countries like Australia and Germany emphasise work-life balance and have rules to prevent employees from working beyond the limits that are allowed. However, the work culture in countries like the United States might be more demanding in high-stakes pharmaceutical roles. Another very important part of the research is the work culture of your destination country and making sure it aligns with your preferences and goals.

Career Growth and Advancement

Pharma jobs abroad can have exciting career growth opportunities with advancement, but it all largely comes down to how well you, as an individual, can adapt to your new environment. For long-term success, building professional relationships, understanding local regulations, and continuously upgrading your skills are key. Furthermore, some countries may have restrictions as well as quotas for foreign professionals who can be in leadership roles, especially if you are still in another country that does not offer jobs for foreigners(in this case, us Indians).

Future Trends in Global Pharma Jobs for Indians

The global pharmaceutical industry is moving quickly with emerging trends defining future opportunities for a job. Technology such as AI, machine learning and biodata analytics are entering the very fabric of Digital health, which is currently leading the way and has become integral to drug development, clinical trials, and patient monitoring. So, pharma professionals from India who have solid experience in this field will be in high demand because you have expertise in these areas.

Personalised medicine is another critical trend. This has brought the shift towards tailored treatments based on genetic profiles, bringing along new jobs in genomics, bioinformatics and precision medicine. The more the field of individualised therapies is investigated thoroughly, the more opportunities those with expertise in this field will have.

Last but not least, the pharmaceutical sector is gaining traction in terms of sustainability. So, companies are designing and implementing environmentally friendly production practices and developing green chemistry methods, making the market available to potential sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing and research professionals.

Conclusion

There are exciting possibilities for Indian professionals, particularly in the age of the global pharmaceutical industry, to make career advancement. Pharma jobs abroad offer the chance to work on the leading edge of research, get a better salary, and work in roles such as R&D, clinical trials and manufacturing, and these are just jobs that are very hard to resist. Countries like the United States, Germany, Canada and Singapore still reign while boasting about their job markets and higher salaries.

To secure a pharma job abroad, job seekers must raise the bar to meet some essential criteria like educational qualifications, work experience, and language skills while also navigating the complexities of visa and work permit hassles. Researching the right destinations, amassing a good resume while making Cultural adjustments and maintaining a work-life balance will also be important for long-term success, as you’ll want to understand these challenges. Even networking opportunities through professional associations like ISPE, DIA and similar professional associations are essential. 

With emerging trends such as digital health, personalised medicine, and sustainability shaping global affairs, pharma jobs abroad for Indians are getting more exciting. If you take the right steps and accept the changing ways of the industry, then an international career in pharmaceuticals can be very rewarding.

If you are looking for the best pharma jobs for Indians to settle abroad, then TerraTern is right for you to seek assistance. TerraTern has an expert team and years of experience in immigration services to ensure you immigrate to your preferred destination easily!