Azeema Moollan

As part of my role as Medical Content Manager - Copy Approval Lead, Emerging Markets, I perform the medical copy approval for promotional and non- promotional materials for certain markets within the region. This involves reviewing and approving materials to ensure that information provided to healthcare professionals and patients is scientifically accurate, appropriate in intent, balanced and compliant with international and local marketing codes and regulations.

I am responsible for training and I am the key contact for updates related to copy approval. I am also involved in projects to improve the quality and efficiency of the internal copy approval process. I am constantly keeping up-to-date on disease areas, medicines, therapeutic guidelines, codes and regulations.

Career path

My parents are from Mauritius but moved to Ireland where I was born and attended school. After joining RCSI in 2008 to study Pharmacy and graduating in 2012, I completed my MPharm in 2013 at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin. I then worked as a locum in community pharmacy and in the HSE Drug Addiction Services.

On moving to Mauritius in 2014, I joined Aspen Global where I worked in quality and regulatory affairs managing the compliance of global manufacturing sites based in Europe and Canada. I was also involved in multiple manufacturing projects including technology transfers. I subsequently joined GlaxoSmithKline in early 2016 as Medical Advisor and was promoted to Senior Medical Advisor during which I was Copy Approval Lead for Africa and Asia Developing Countries. 

My work is office based. I work in a fast-paced, exciting environment and, as I work across different time zones, there can be early starts and late meetings. As the company operates on a global scale, there are many interactions with colleagues all over the world.

Ongoing developments

In my area of work, the hot topic is the recent version of the Code of Practice of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), which ensures that practices in the pharmaceutical industry are governed by ethical standards. A number of the key amendments set the bar higher for member companies’ interactions with stakeholders. The main change is the ban on promotional aids for prescription-only medicines for example post-its and calendars; however, company branded pens and notepads at company-organised events or third party events are allowed, but only if they are of minimal value and in the necessary quantity. While this has already been the situation across Europe and other markets due to the EFPIA/local codes, this is a new requirement for many other markets.

Working in pharma

I enjoyed my experiences working in both the clinical setting as well as in pharma. I also adapt quite easily to any environment. When I moved to Mauritius and the opportunity to work in quality arose I was ready to use my knowledge and skills as a pharmacist and take on a new challenge. I quickly adapted to the new role taking ownership of projects, developing/simplifying processes, working with manufacturing sites and in a multidisciplinary team including supply chain, regulatory, finance, and artwork.

My roles both in quality and now in copy approval have involved utilising my skills as a pharmacist of patient focus, interacting with people, attention to detail, knowledge of disease areas, medicines and their development but with a wider impact.

While I always enjoyed having day-to-day contact with patients in the hospital and community pharmacy, I now have an exciting and evolving role which allows me to use my skills and knowledge as a pharmacist with a wider impact. Pharmacists are valued in industry because we bring an understanding of patients and how medicines are used by patients. It is also interesting to work in an environment where colleagues and peers have different skills so that there is an opportunity to learn and develop expertise in new areas quite quickly.

Looking back

The education I received at RCSI shaped the way I approach my work today and prepared me for the real world. Our training was practical and hands-on and the breadth of RCSI’s multicultural student community provided me with an international perspective early on in my career. We have an invaluable foundation from RCSI and I believe that this, combined with hard work, determination and doing the right thing, are instrumental to success in any pharmacy domain.