My journey into science-led selfcare: "I was a sceptic, but now I passionately believe it's the future of healthcare"

When I first started my career in Regulatory Affairs, I didn't appreciate why selfcare was so important. I was sceptical about its association with bubble baths and 'me-time’ and believed that ‘real healthcare’ was being taken care of by healthcare professionals, supported by the pharmaceutical industry. However, having now worked in the selfcare industry for 20 years, I have come to appreciate that science-led selfcare empowers everyone’s everyday health and makes a very real difference. Access to over the counter (OTC) medicines that enable us to get well, and stay well, keeps society functioning. Being able to control our everyday health and wellness is, I believe, a fundamental human right.

How I discovered Consumer Health is the perfect fit for me

After training in biomedical chemistry, I started my working life in pharmaceuticals. Knowing that the work I was doing was having an impact on people’s future health, and enabling them to live with debilitating diseases like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema was a huge part of why I got into the industry. I enjoyed it immensely and believed it was where I would forge my career.

 However, personal reasons meant a location move and that led me to - what felt at the time - the ‘fringes’ of healthcare, the world of OTC. I soon came to realise, though, that it was the ideal move for me.

Why?

The culture and pace of OTC healthcare suits my way of working perfectly. When I was working as a regulator within pharmaceuticals, I was lucky to work with a fantastic boss and great people, but because of the size of the teams and the length of the projects, you’re only involved in one part of the drug development process. For example, you can focus on pre-clinical work, or manufacturing, or something in between.

 Consumer health is different. You’re involved in the whole lifecycle of a product and can see it go from idea to submission quickly sometimes in just a couple of years, rather than the seven ‘plus’ years it takes a prescription medicine to reach a patient. Going into a retailer, such as Boots, and seeing a product that I’ve worked on, on the shelf, is just the biggest thrill – I love the feeling of achievement. The speed of innovation, the connection I have to the brands we work on, and the impact they have on so many people each day, is what inspires and drives me.

How family life opened my eyes to science-led selfcare

As a working mum, daughter, wife and sister, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of selfcare, and the reassurance provided by access to science-based, trusted OTC  treatments. 

I will never forget how grateful I was when I had access to OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as a new mum when my daughter Madison was born. Like many new parents, I needed them to manage her fever post-immunisation. Products like these from companies like Bayer make that challenging new-born period just that little bit easier. Experiences like that also made me realise that science-led selfcare is about creating access to evidence-based medicines that make a big difference, but ones that do not need to take over every aspect of life.

 How my team at Bayer is making a difference

My passion for selfcare has been fully ignited since joining Bayer Consumer Health in 2019. Here at Bayer, we are creating solutions that are grounded in science, and answer people's everyday health needs. What could be more of a motivating factor to come to work every day?! even when that is the virtual office!

My team covers Regulatory, Medical, Safety and Compliance across all aspects of a product. We are involved in ideation and defining the unmet medical need, to advising on development and formulation options, running clinical trials and achieving registrations. We also connect with the product in the marketplace through educational programmes, healthcare professional engagement and supporting the consumer marketing team who advertise our products. We touch every product in the organisation across its entire lifecycle.

 I honestly believe I have the best job in the company and everyday offers diversity and a chance to learn. I'm also backed by an excellent, diverse and talented team. Each day, in partnership with our colleagues and stakeholders, we aim to break the mould and dare to do things a little differently, working continuously to deliver innovation to consumers faster to meet their selfcare needs. Not only do I get to empower others to become as passionate about selfcare as me, but I also get to do it at a company that is right behind me, working hard to deliver solutions that make a real and important difference to people’s health and wellbeing every day. It’s an absolute privilege!