Pharmaceutical Business & Technology

Course Overview



This Post Graduate Diploma programme offers a unique blend of technology and business skills. Students will develop their skills in the pharmaceutical sector and gain expertise in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, Business Improvement, Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Research. This unique and popular course is delivered by industry professionals ensuring you receive the most up-to-date and relevant skills to help you advance your career in the pharma/biotech sector.



With extensive input and participation from the pharmaceutical and clinical trials sectors, this course is ideal for those involved in manufacturing, compliance, business improvement, quality assurance, validation, data analytics, clinical trial coordination and engineering.



Accreditation: QQI Level 9 Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Business & Technology.

Collaborating College: Griffith College Dublin

Module 1: Clinical Research Management

Drug development life cycle, clinical trials project management, contract research organisations (CRO), competitive marketing in the clinical trials sector, and managing commercial relationships.



Module 2: Processes, Production and Pharmaceutical Quality Systems

Pharmaceutical & Biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry, pharmaceutical products, manufacturing, quality system elements, validation and change control, pharmaceutical plant design, pharmaceutical quality systems, and principles of quality by design.



Module 3: Pharmaceutical Technology Transfer

The technology transfer process, research to manufacturing, location to location, life cycle studies, raw material impacts, pilot plan studies, validation, commissioning and cleaning, project management, regulatory framework, and analytical methods.



Module 4: Regulatory Landscape of Pharmaceutical Business

Pharmaceutical legislation and regulation, core principles, statutory frameworks, environmental regulations, Irish and European Union law, planning law, waste management, control of pollution, and factory facilities.



Module 5: 21st Century Dynamics & Emerging Trends

Challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry, new product types, patent cliffs, emerging markets, innovative medicines, live licensing, modes of healthcare delivery, governmental strategies, and demands on manufacturing and distribution.



Module 6: Strategy, Leadership & the Culture of Innovation

Current challenges of the pharmaceutical industry, strategic thinking in the Biopharmaceutical industry, leading change in the biopharmaceutical industry, culture of innovation, corporate governance and business ethics.



Module 7: Operational Excellence & the Science of Innovation

Origins of operational excellence, operational excellence implementation models, lean sigma implementation, design of six sigma, science of innovation, TRIZ, key performance indicators (KPI), and quality function deployment.



Module 8: Research Methods

Topic selection, literature review, research design, methods of data collection and analysis, ethics.

This course is suitable for those who possess qualifications at NFQ Level 8 Honours degree with a 2.2 or higher in a Science, Engineering or Quality discipline.

12 months. Developed and taught by experienced academics and industry lecturers, this course is delivered through blended learning, 2 evenings per week online and up to 2 Saturdays per month in person. 

Career Options

This highly desired qualification will help you open the door to an exciting and successful career in the pharma or life sciences industries. This unique masters' qualification could help kick-start your career progression as an executive, manager or director in the following specialities:



- Business Operations Supervisor/ Manager

- Compliance Specialist / Manager

- Business Improvement Specialist

- Clinical Trials Coordinator

- Technology Specialist/ Manager

- Quality Supervisor/ Manager

- New Business Introduction Specialist