Get to know our colleague Julia!

1. Heading the Pharmacovigilance Team within Global Product Safety at Merz Therapeutics
2. Providing legally required functions
3. Maintaining and shaping the Merz wide state-of-the-art global Pharmacovigilance System

In April 2010, freshly graduated from university, I started my professional career in the Case Management Team within Corporate Drug Safety (CPS) at Merz. This was a great chance to learn Drug Safety/ Pharmacovigilance from the very beginning. In March 2011, I was promoted and joined the Pharmacovigilance (PV) Group. In this position, I received deeper insights into Pharmacovigilance while I supported my colleagues in process analysis, -streamlining and improvements.

After gaining further professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry, as a deputy Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance (QPPV), deputy Graduated Plan Officer for the Merz Group and as a Line-Manager, I gladly re-joined the Merz family in January 2018 and shortly afterwards took over the role as QPPV in the EU/EEA and the function as Graduated Plan Officer for the Merz Group. One year later I got the amazing chance to take over the role as ‘Head of Pharmacovigilance’ of Merz Therapeutics.

As the safety profile of a new drug or an established drug in new indications might be limited during clinical trials, Global Product Safety (GPS) collects any safety information from the market and globally available scientific and medical literature to contribute to a state-of-the-art product information on an ongoing basis. Therefore, as a member of GPS, I strive for better outcomes for more patients daily by assuring safe products for a safe use.

Within Merz, I met my soulmate, my best friend and my maid of honor (all in one person). One colleague became my very best friend and family over time. Since more than ten years we are traveling the world together and it was my special moment when she accepted to be my maid of honor for my wedding.

Usually, I start my work day around 8 am. First, I check my emails and prioritize tasks for the day. Around 11.30 am, I have my lunch break preferably with colleagues. Then I often go for a walk. While walking I can think very well and have the best ideas to find possible solutions for challenging tasks. At the end of my workday, I appreciate to have conversations with colleagues, to summarize the day together and reflect on tasks appeared during the day or upcoming ones. Also, I prepare my to-do list for the next business days.

The friendly atmosphere and that you are “heard” is what I appreciate the most. During every workday, I appreciate the collegiality and respectful collaboration with my colleagues from various departments. Within the Global Product Safety Department, I appreciate the most that I can work and act in a multidisciplinary environment. Especially, in my function as Qualified Person for Pharmacovigilance and Graduated Plan Officer, I can use my scientific knowledge. On a daily basis I also have the chance to receive deeper insights in drug manufacturing processes, drug product life-cycle management and pharmaceutical law to only name some fields of action.

When you freshly graduated from university in the fields of Science, human or veterinary medicine or as a pharmacist, working within the fields of Research and Development in a pharma company might be a smart decision. Especially within Pharmacovigilance you will get the chance to work accurate and multidisciplinary, to interact with most departments in the company and your learning path will never end.