ABBVIE, a global research-driven biopharmaceutical company, has concluded its Pharma Training Program with a graduation ceremony in Riyadh to inspire future Saudi pharmacists. Building on previous successes over the past two years, the program returned this year to train 36 female and male students from various universities across Saudi Arabia.
The five-week program was comprised of a series of intensive, hands-on courses to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills needed for successful careers as pharmacists. To celebrate this important milestone, students participated in the ceremony also attended by their parents and delegates from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), King Saud University and Princess Noura University at the Holyday Inn Hotel in Riyadh.
Since the program’s inception in 2015, it has trained 87 pharmacy students and graduates with the aim of inspiring more Saudi nationals to join the private pharmaceutical sector. In fact, a number of graduates from this year’s training have already accepted full-time positions with AbbVie.
Sari Hindi, one of the students who attended the Jeddah sessions, said “this practical training experience was invaluable as it helped me to solidify the knowledge I had learnt in the classroom and showed me, as a pharmacist, what my career potentials would be like. I’ve always been passionate about pharmacy but this experience has fueled my passion even more and helped me start my career with a global biopharmaceutical company after graduating from King Abdulaziz University. I am very excited about my new job at AbbVie to help make a remarkable impact on the lives of patients in Saudi Arabia.”
Dr. Basma Al Buhairan, Managing Director for Healthcare and Life Sciences from the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), who addressed the graduates, said “learning and development in the healthcare sector is key in equipping young and bright Saudi talent with the tools they need to face the ever-changing dynamics of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. The cohort of pharmacists graduating at this event are an example of the many rising stars in Saudi pharmacy who will pave the way in helping the Government achieve its 2030 vision. SAGIA welcomes the ‘AbbVie Pharma Training’ program and looks forward to similar advanced training programs in the future that will continue to train an increasingly competitive Saudi workforce.”
Dr. Aws Alshamsan, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at King Saud University, said “it is rewarding to see our students’ passion and flair for pharmacy being celebrated at the event today. It is our role, as a university, to prepare students with the academic and science backgrounds necessary to become pharmacists. Thanks to AbbVie, our students experienced first-hand what to expect from a career in the pharmaceutical sector as well as learned about the various career paths that await them. ”
“The goal of this training is to not only enhance the students’ knowledge, but also to stimulate their passion and enthusiasm for the field,” said Rami Fayed, general manager of AbbVie in Saudi Arabia. “In turn, this supports the Government’s goal, as expressed in Vision 2030, to employ more Saudis in the healthcare sector. Today’s students are the nation’s future talent who will play a key role in meeting the growing needs of the kingdom’s healthcare sector.”
To give the trainees a first-hand glimpse of what their future career entails, the program covers topics such as Supply Chain Management, Governmental Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Compliance and Public Affairs. Other sessions focused on self-improvement and assessment processes including Conflict Management, Communications, Active Listening, Innovation and Emotional Intelligence. Students also paid a visit to a local manufacturing site and interacted with the AbbVie in-field team of pharmacists who were on hand to answer all questions and queries. — SG
