Sharni Sandhar

Sharni Sandhar is an Associate Program Manager in Global Regulatory Affairs at Hoffman-La Roche. She is a graduate of the UBC Pharmacy Class of 2018 and recently completed the Industry Residency Program through the University of Toronto. She also works at an independent community pharmacy on the weekends.

1. Tell us about your current job in the field of pharmacy and how did you get there?

"I am an Associate Program Manager in Global Regulatory Affairs at Hoffmann-La Roche. In my role, I am responsible for supporting the development and implementation of regulatory strategies to facilitate the development and approval of medicines for human use. I work in cross-functional teams internally, and liaise with health authorities (US Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency) externally. I am in this position after completing the University of Toronto Industrial Residency Program."

2. What inspired you to pursue your specialized area of practice?

"As a student, I gained experience in both community and hospital settings, but I was curious to explore other pathways for pharmacists. Therefore, I applied to the Industrial Residency Program because I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn about the various roles within industry. Frankly, I knew nothing about regulatory when I first applied, but after doing my residency in this department, I really enjoyed it and decided to continue in this pathway."

3. What barriers have you faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome them?

"I think the main barrier I faced was when I was first applying to the residency program and I was told that I would be at a disadvantage applying from UBC. Unfortunately UBC students do not have the same exposure to industry as the students from Ontario universities. Prior to applying, UofT and UWaterloo students have rotation opportunities in the industry as well Industry Information nights where students meet current employees and hiring managers. However, I gave myself an advantage by highlighting in my application extracurricular opportunities unique to UBC and by reaching out to industry residents for their insight."

4. What is the most rewarding part of your position, and what do you find to be the most challenging?

"The learning. I think people would be surprised at how scientific and clinical the roles within the industry can be. I also appreciate the learning in my soft-skill development. It has been a year and a half in the department and there has not been a single day that I have repeated the same thing (and have been told the same with people working in this role for years). The regulatory/pharmaceutical environment is dynamic so you never get bored. Equally, this can also be the most challenging aspect of the role because you have to be ready to resolve issues everyday for things that you may have never seen before. I have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable."

5. What advice would you offer students interested in pursuing a career in industry pharmacy?

"I highly recommend the residency program, but if that does not work out, it is not mandatory to have a residency to pursue a career in this field. Industry pharmacy is also not limited to the large, well-known pharmaceutical companies. Keep an eye out for other opportunities in smaller biotechnology companies, consulting firms, or even the government."

6. What advice would you offer students with regards to the residency application?

"It is important for students to research the position he/she is applying for ahead of time either through the company website, or by speaking to people currently working in industry. It really comes across in the application and interview when the applicant understands the role better. Also, don’t forget to prepare for interviews through practice, practice, practice!"