My internship experience at EFPIA in Brussels
In the interest of making the most of my semester break, I took part in an internship at EFPIA where I learned about industrial pharmacy from experts. This introduced me to opportunities beyond traditional community and hospital roles, all while ticking off Brussels from my bucket list.
Why I applied
Earlier this year I had the chance to participate in a 4-day internship at EFPIA, a biopharmaceutical company, organised by EPSA. EPSA is a European Pharmacy association that collaborates with pharmacy student and societies all across Europe. As a 2nd year Pharmacy student, I was interested in exploring industrial research and development and the fact that the internship was based in Brussels (home to the European parliament) made it even more appealing. Thanks to the Gold Scholarship Opportunity fund, I was not limited by finances and could pursue this activity, which aligns with my future career goals.
First impressions
Starting a new placement can feel daunting, especially when surrounded by a mix of languages in an unfamiliar city. However, on the first day we were warmly welcomed by several different professionals from diverse backgrounds working in regulatory pharmacy and international health policy, before heading over to the European Parliament. Later on, I also participated in a soft skills training session on biases, which has helped improve my clinical decision making.
Learning from expert professionals
The following two days gave me a broad picture of the industry’s role in improving health care. This included international affairs as well as AI and digital health, bridging the generational technology gap to support the use of health data apps for conditions such as Parkinson’s - while protecting GDPR. Furthermore, I was introduced to the Eco-Pharmaco-Stewardship, an initiative designed to reduce the impact of active pharmaceutical ingredients from polluting water and contributing to environmental contamination.
Innovative partnerships
On the final day we discussed the Innovative Health Initiative, a large partnership that combines knowledge and technology across different fields such as vaccines and digital health tools to develop faster treatment options for patients. Building on this, we learned about clinical trials, including animal modelling and how medicines enter the market, with some providing access to treatments for rare conditions through ‘orphan drugs.
Exploring Brussels
Of course, I could not leave Brussels without visiting the Christmas market and trying their famous Belgian waffles, so I made sure to reserve the last day for exploring and taking in all the sights the city has to offer.
How I’m staying involved
Following this experience, I have stayed connected with EPSA by subscribing to their monthly newsletter and attending online webinars to maintain my knowledge of industrial pharmacy and stay up to date on further opportunities abroad.
Since this internship, I have developed a new level of confidence. I now feel more comfortable attending meetings, contributing to discussions. Understanding corporate terms and abbreviations has also allowed me to communicate effectively with senior professionals. This experience has also revealed how integrated clinical and industrial pharmacy can be, both working towards improving patient health outcomes. Overall, I am incredibly grateful to the Gold Scholarship Programme Opportunities Fund for funding this opportunity, and I would absolutely encourage other students to attend similar programs. I would also advise students not limit to themselves as no idea is too small as long as you can demonstrate a genuine passion and relevance to your professional development.
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