A&D Pharma continues recruitment drive

A&D Pharma, which comprises drug distributor Mediplus and drugstore chain Sensiblu, hired 800 people last year in the sales, operational, marketing and IT departments, as well as pharmacists for the retail network it operates.
Following this extensive recruitment campaign, there were over 3000 people employed in the group in late last year, according to information provided by the company. In comparison, at present, the biggest employers in the pharmaceutical industry are the drug manufacturers, the most important of which employ around 1,000 people on average.
“Most of the jobs that will be created in 2007 will be in the executive and middle management levels,” explained Brandusa Fecioru, HR manager with A&D Pharma.
The companies operating in the pharmaceutical industry were among the most dynamic employers in the economy in 2006, with all the players in this field having launched extensive recruitment programmes. A shortage of workforce in this field is anticipated in 2007, as well.
“The market will continue to grow this year, the competition will become fiercer, while the need of diversification and development of services will become prominent. In line with the trend witnessed over recent years, A&D Pharma will continue its expansion projects this year, and will constantly be connected with the situation on the market,” stated Brandusa Fecioru.
The pharmaceutical industry has been faced with a shortage of human resources since early last year. The growth rate of sales rate has prompted the companies to invest in the strengthening of their sales teams.
“We plan to develop a more extensive recruitment programme for students and graduates in 2007, but we will also offer jobs that entail a high level of expertise, therefore we need to find people with a certain number of years of experience, as well,” explained Brandusa Fecioru.
Under the circumstances, the salaries in this industry have also increased, according to the latest information available, with the employees in the pharmaceutical industry being the best paid people in the economy, namely 828 euros (gross average salary), according to the Paywell 2006 survey, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers. It is the first time that salaries in the pharmaceutical industry have topped salaries earned by the employees of banks.