Pharma Academy

Pharma Academy is the first international program focused on developing executive roles in medical departments, regulatory affairs, and market access within the pharmaceutical industry. Designed specifically for Latin America, the program offers a comprehensive overview of the current and future landscape of medical departments, addressing key global trends, regulatory challenges, scientific innovation, and evolving relationships with healthcare professionals and the public.

This executive education program provides a comprehensive overview of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, covering its current state, trends, and challenges leading up to 2030. It explores the strategic role of healthcare professionals, as well as the research, clinical development, and evidence-building processes that underpin responsible innovation. It also delves into the product lifecycle, launch strategies, and patient- and outcomes-oriented pharmaceutical marketing. Furthermore, it analyzes market access models, pharmacoeconomics, and the influence of generative and predictive artificial intelligence on the sector's transformation. Finally, it strengthens the personal and leadership skills necessary to manage teams, projects, and resources in a highly competitive and dynamic environment.

Pharma Academy covers all these aspects and provides the necessary content to play a high-impact, value-added role within pharmaceutical company teams. Students will have the opportunity to interact both in groups and individually with a top-level faculty, many of whom hold management positions in leading companies in the sector.

steering Committee

• Luis, Nudelman.
• Claudio González.
• Sebastian, Sorsaburu.
• Walter, Toro.

Academic Committee

• Leandro, Castillo (ISPA).
• Diego, Kanevsky (ISPA).
• Marcelo, Silva (Austral).
• Daniel, Grassi (Austral).

Academic secretary

• Natalia, Fiant (ISPA).

– Adriano Castronuovo. Adium Latam Medical Director.

– Andrea Lachari. Former Medical Director LATAM. Amgen

– Claudio Gonzalez. Principal Scientist – V&I Global Medical & Scientific Affairs. Merck & Co. LLC

– Flavio Arce. Medical Director, Servier, Argentina

– Gabriel Micali. Medical Director ABBOTT. Southern Cone LATAM

– José Luis Cañadas. Medical Director, Gilead, Mexico

– Laura Arias. Medical Director, Roche Argentina

– Lucas Najun. TA Lead. Gastroenterology. Abbvie Spain

– Luis Nudelman. Medical Director Abbvie Spain.

– Manuel Uribe. Medical Director. New Market Development. LATAM BeOne Medicines

– María Pía Orihuela. General Manager Roche Argentina

– Sebastian Sorsaburu. Vice President Head US Medical Affairs. CSL Behring

–Oscar Podesta. Head PSI CRO LATAM

– Verónica Calamari. Talent Acquisition Head Americas/Canada. Roche

– Walter Toro. Executive Director Global HEOR. Novartis

• Health and biological science professionals interested in starting and advancing their careers in medical areas within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Future executives and leaders in training who wish to develop their strategic and management profile in medical departments.

Medical and technical departments are playing an increasingly important role in the pharmaceutical industry. Among the most prominent trends are a greater focus on generating and communicating relevant scientific evidence beyond traditional clinical trials, active involvement in market access decisions and product support throughout the product lifecycle, and the adoption of digital technologies to improve interaction with healthcare professionals and data management.

Also gaining increasing importance are continuing medical education, ethical compliance, and collaboration with external actors, such as patients and associations, as well as a fundamental role in the development of personalized medicine and in the use of real-world evidence.

In summary, Medical Affairs will evolve from a primarily informational role to a strategic one, driving clinical innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and generating value for the patient.

Objectives

• Understanding the transformation of the pharmaceutical sector and anticipating its evolution over the next 10 years.
• To understand the strategic role of graduates in health and biological sciences within medical departments.
• Acquire critical knowledge about the strategic and operational aspects that guide the function of the medical team.
• Develop and strengthen the skills necessary to lead high-performing medical teams.
• To promote the professional growth of participants, enhancing their skills to build a successful and sustainable career in the pharmaceutical industry.

Los módulos se impartirán en clases semanales de dos horas, desde mayo hasta septiembre, en modalidad 100 % online. La asistencia a las sesiones es obligatoria y formará parte de la evaluación final. De manera excepcional, y previa solicitud al mentor académico, los alumnos que no puedan asistir a alguna clase podrán acceder a su grabación a través de la plataforma durante las 72 horas siguientes.

Each student will have access to the digital platform, where they will find all the information necessary for the program: study materials, supplementary readings, reference contacts, and tracking of their academic progress. They will also have access to technical support whenever needed.

In addition, each participant will be assigned an academic mentor to answer questions, queries and concerns, as well as to receive personalized guidance and suggestions.

The program will also offer a student forum, moderated by teachers, which will serve as a space for exchanging ideas, discussing topics, and collective enrichment through the participation of the entire community.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

• Start of course: 20 de mayo de 2027. Las clases se desarrollarán los días jueves, en los siguientes horarios: 22:00 h | 17:00 h |  15:00 h |  14:00 h

• Finalización de cursada: September 16 2027.

• Carga académica: 16 clases en total.

• Receso académico: Se establecerá un receso de dos semanas durante las vacaciones de invierno de Argentina, correspondientes a las últimas dos semanas de julio.

Módulo 1: Introducción a la Industria Farmacéutica y Biotecnológica 

1. Overview of the current environment
2. Present and prospects towards 2030
3. Internal and external clients
4. PESTEL Strategic Analysis
5. Organizational structure: global, regional and affiliated
6. The role of patient associations
7. Regulatory authorities and main requirements

Módulo 2: El Rol del Médico y del Profesional en Ciencias de la Salud dentro de la Industria 

1. The evolution of science and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Present and future.
2. Key functions in the Discovery & Development departments
3. Medical Department: Structure and Governance
4. Strategic roles: MSLs, MAs, MMs and the DM.
5. Medical Affairs: vision and projection towards 2030

Módulo 3: Investigación y Desarrollo 

1. Preclinical research: fundamentals and applications
2. Clinical research: phases of drug development
3. Research methodology and biomedical statistics
4. Good Clinical Practices (GCP)
5. Critical reading and scientific writing (medical writing)
6. Generation of clinical evidence and real-world data
7. Pharmacovigilance

Módulo 4: El Ciclo de Vida de un Producto y su Lanzamiento 

1. Launch - 24 months. Strategy and resource allocation
2. Launch - 6 months. Strategy and resource allocation
3. Comprehensive preparation for a successful launch
4. Immediate post-launch: monitoring and strategic adjustment
5. Product classification according to their stage in the life cycle

Módulo 5: Marketing Farmacéutico 

1. Understanding the market
2. Patient model
3. Communication and engagement plans
4. Brand Plan: Strategic Design and Execution
5. Strategy development. SWOT analysis
6. Coordination of tactical execution
7. Information and medical education campaigns
8. Metrics and performance indicators (KPIs)

Módulo 6: Acceso al Mercado, Farmacoeconomía y Evaluación de Tecnología 

1. Current and future trends and challenges in access to health
2. Value and price: how to define and communicate the value proposition
3. Cost-effectiveness models and budget impact analysis
4. Relationship and negotiation with payers
5. Innovative financing models

Módulo 7: Tecnología en Salud 

1. Digital innovation and its impact on the industry
2. Artificial intelligence and data analysis applied to health
3. Telemedicine and new care platforms
4. Medical devices and healthtech
5. Trends in digital transformation in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Módulo 8: Desarrollo de Habilidades Personales, Liderazgo y Trabajo en Equipo

1. Inspirational leadership and talent management
2. Executive presence and personal branding
3. Effective communication and strategic influence
4. Leading cross-functional teams
5. Project management.
6. Financial aspects: planning, budgeting and execution

• Practical tools for strategic and operational decision-making.
• Development of key skills in leadership, team management and future vision.
• Preparation to face the challenges of a highly dynamic and competitive environment.
• Access to an international network of experts and professionals in the pharmaceutical sector through group and individual interaction with a teaching staff of the highest level.

The program includes two one-on-one mentoring sessions specifically designed to help students define a career plan and transition into the workforce within the sector. These will be two individual sessions of approximately 45 minutes each with a member of the teaching team who has extensive experience in talent development and career guidance. The first session will take place within the first two months of the program to understand the student's profile and expectations. The second session will be held in September.

• Study, analysis, resolution and presentation of the Final Course Project

At the end of the semester and during the following month, students will complete a "Final Project" to consolidate and apply the knowledge acquired in a real-world setting. This project will consist of solving a simulated case study. Throughout the process, students will receive support from the teaching team to answer any questions that may arise. The project can be completed individually or in groups, with the latter being the recommended option to maximize learning. The working groups will have the opportunity to present and defend their projects before the program's administrative staff as the final learning experience.

At the end of each class module, the student will have to complete a multiple-choice test exam which they will have access to through the platform.

The "Final Project" can be prepared individually or in groups. If it is a group project, students will have the opportunity to present and defend their proposal before an evaluation committee. In this case, they will receive special recognition in the final evaluation.

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

• Attendance: 15%

• Participation (classes, forums, etc.): 15%

• Exams for each module: 35%

• Final project: 35%

Requirements:

• Qualifying degree in health or biological sciences.

• Final-year students of related degrees.

Dear Postgraduate Participant, we would like to inform you of the latest updates regarding the tuition policies for our undergraduate and postgraduate programs:

Due to the complex economic situation in Argentina, the tuition fees for our programs and degrees are adjusted periodically. This is to preserve the academic quality that underpins our value proposition and to meet the University's commitments and obligations. These increases will be based on indicators reported by the Central Bank of Argentina.

Once again, we appreciate the trust you have placed in our University and renew our commitment to providing you with the highest level of training and professional development.

• Payment Policies: The participant must pay or confirm their payment method and/or fee at least 72 hours prior to the start of the activity through the means mentioned in the FEES section.
  • Duty: Accepted payment methods: VISA, Mastercard and American Express debit and credit cards, Decidir and Mercado Pago.
  • Due to current regulations, the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences cannot receive cash. For this reason, only electronic payment methods will be accepted during activity accreditation.
• Cancellation policy prior to the start of the course: Cancellations must be made at least 96 hours in advance through a formal channel by sending an email to posgradofcb@austral.edu.ar placing in the subject WITHDRAWAL REQUEST – “Name of Course/Activity” (In the body of the message, you must include your personal information: name and surname, ID number).
• Cancellation policy during the course (not applicable to short courses): The participant must send an email to posgradofcb@austral.edu.ar with the subject line "Withdrawal Request" – "Course/Activity Name" (include your personal information in the body of the message: first and last name, ID). The withdrawal must be sent between the 1st and 10th of the current month. The corresponding fee will be billed and debited starting on the 11th.

• Refund Policy: If you do not participate in the program and/or activity, and do not process the corresponding withdrawal request in a timely manner, no refund requests will be accepted.

• Tuition refund policy: The registration fee serves as a deposit to reserve a place and is non-refundable once paid. If you request to withdraw, your enrollment status for that activity during the current academic period will be considered.

• Partial refund policy: In the event that the student/participant has made the full payment for the course in advance or has made advance payments through open plans:

1. If the activity has not started: You will be able to recover 100% of the advance payments at the current value at the time of payment, less 5% for administrative expenses.
2. If the activity started and progressed to 30% of the total course time: 50% of the advance payments will be refunded at the current value at the time of payment, less 5% for administrative expenses.
3. If the activity progressed more than 30% of the total course time: Advance payments will not be refunded.

• Replacement policy: If the registered person is unable to participate in the program and with prior notice of at least 96 hours before the date of the event, they may transfer their participation to a third party.
• Activities that grant a certificate of participation: The minimum required attendance of 70% of the academic program, its activities, and administrative debt must be met to request the corresponding certification.
• The discounts/promotions offered cannot be combined.
• The opening of the program or course is subject to the number of students enrolled at the time of its start.
• Procurement policies do not apply to non-tariff activities.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS:

How can I tell if my degree program has been accredited by CONEAU? For programs with ministerial accreditation, the resolution or file number and the corresponding accreditation year will be displayed at the top of the page. Programs without accreditation issue a certificate to participants, not a degree.