Can remote working be successful in the pharmaceutical industry?

This is a guest article and does not necessarily reflect the views and values of Impetus Digital. 

With the increasing popularity of remote working, particularly post-pandemic, many companies are now looking for ways to introduce this type of work arrangement in their organisations. But remote working naturally lends itself to some industries more than others – and one that involves production lines and sensitive data is not top of the list. So is it possible for remote working to really be successful in such a heavily regulated field as pharmaceuticals? We take a look.

Pros of remote working in the pharmaceutical industry

Remote working involves allowing employees to carry out their duties from home, away from the regular office environment. This means that they no longer have to commute to the office and can take advantage of more flexible hours – both of which may improve employee satisfaction. In addition, remote working often allows people to stay productive despite any external distractions or health issues they may be facing. 

Allowing remote work can help increase the diversity of your hiring pool, as candidates no longer need to live geographically close to the office. This can mean accessing talented individuals or research teams who may have commitments elsewhere. 

Finally, remote work can result in monetary savings. Companies can reduce their overheads for office spaces and instead put these funds towards new initiatives or improvements to essential in-person spaces, such as research centres.

Cons of remote working in the pharmaceutical industry

In pharmaceuticals, it’s essential that all employees follow strict rules and regulations due to both safety concerns and data protection requirements. As such, introducing a remote working system could present certain challenges. For example, ensuring that employees adhere to these regulations while still being able to effectively communicate with colleagues on a regular basis could be difficult – especially if there are worries about how secure internal messaging platforms are.

Additionally, there will always be roles within the industry that require someone to be there in person – managing production lines can’t be done remotely, for example. This means that it’s unlikely that the whole industry could shift to remote working – but hybrid models may be possible.

Best practice for remote work

In order for remote working to be effective within the pharmaceutical industry, there needs to be clear guidelines about what data is shared amongst staff and how it should be handled online if accessed remotely. Computer setups must be secure, with advanced password databases and a security system in place to prevent data breaches. Companies are also likely to need to offer some training to ensure employees are confident in a remote role.

Furthermore, making sure there’s a set schedule in place for virtual meetings between different departments will ensure that tasks get done efficiently regardless of where staff members may actually be located at any given time. This is particularly essential if you have team members across the country or even the world.

Overall, while there are certain challenges associated with introducing remote working into the pharmaceutical sector, it certainly has its advantages too and can benefit both employers and employees alike if properly managed. By providing each team member with sufficient guidance on data security protocols along with access to reliable technology and communication systems, organisations can greatly improve their efficiency while also safeguarding sensitive information at all times – no matter where their workforce may actually work from.

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About the Author

James Ritter is a digital consultant with a particular interest in employee welfare and has advocated for content about the wellbeing of employees. James majored in creative writing at university and is always eager to expand his knowledge around different subjects.

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