Pharmaceutical recruitment in Ukraine amid the war
The pharmaceutical market in Ukraine is one of the few business segments that demonstrates not only the ability to recover in wartime conditions but also a positive development trend. During the first few months of the war, the pharmaceutical industry experienced some stagnation, but soon it began to adapt to the new market demands and restructure itself to address current challenges.
Production was redirected towards manufacturing essential medicines such as hemostatics, antipyretics, and analgesics. Pre-purchased raw materials proved to be beneficial. Well-established contacts with production facilities in Europe also provided assistance. Ukrainians started to buy more domestic products, driven by the desire to support their local manufacturers on one hand and the price factor on the other. Additionally, government support in the form of simplified registration procedures for medical products also contributed to the recovery of the pharmaceutical business. By October-November 2022, the industry had returned to the levels of 2021.
Recruitment in the pharma sector faces similar challenges as in most other Ukrainian industries: personnel shortage (men on the frontlines, women abroad) and qualifications of available candidates. Currently, the pharmaceutical business is most interested in brand managers, marketers, and procurement specialists. The development of new products demands professional promotion in the domestic market. Relevant exports to the Asian region also require specialists in sales optimization. Collaboration with foreign suppliers necessitates effective communication.
“The specificity of pharmaceutical recruiting lies in the majority of market representatives preferring to see candidates for open positions offline. As a result, a portion of qualified professionals currently located abroad automatically falls out of consideration. Employers, due to the peculiarities of the industry, are not willing to hire individuals without experience. Consequently, there is a fierce competition for truly experienced specialists,” – notes Olena Kutsokon, the head of the recruitment department at Smart Solutions.
Forecasting the development of the pharmaceutical industry is challenging, as it is influenced by various factors (the course of events on the frontlines, government policies, behavior of international players, etc.). However, it can be definitively stated that the current state of the pharma sector is stable and dynamic. The business is profitable and generously supports the frontlines by providing necessary medications. Additionally, under an optimistic scenario, one can anticipate a 20-30% growth in the pharmaceutical market, resulting in job opportunities, competitive salaries, and a favorable professional environment.
