Working Life, Vifor Pharma, Derek Williams
pharmafile | June 7, 2013 | Feature | Manufacturing and Production, Medical Communications, Research and Development, Sales and Marketing |Â Â Vifor pharma, Working Life, williamsÂ
How did you find your way into your current role?
I began my career in the UK as a sales representative for Searle. I then moved to Canada, embarking on an international career with Bayer in sales and marketing moving from Canada to Germany, Holland, back to Canada then on to the US.
In 2002 I moved back to the UK, initially joining Celltech as their head of European sales and marketing and then going to Allergan as European head of the aesthetics business.
In 2008 I used my extensive international experience to set up my own consultancy; offering acquisition, merger, commercialisation and marketing strategic advice to emerging healthcare companies.
This experience left me well prepared for my current role of general manager at Vifor Pharma UK, setting up the UK affiliate in January 2010. Vifor Pharma is an internationally active company, based in Switzerland, with an increasingly global presence.
The opportunity to establish and build a new, vibrant company like Vifor really attracted me to the role which is very special. We are a small company with the ambitions and professionalism of a big company and are expanding rapidly.
How is your field changing?
As everyone is well aware, the NHS reforms are changing the current standards of care and the way in which they are provided to ensure that patients are put at the heart of all healthcare decisions.
Altered commissioning through the provision of services via CCGs, whilst managing a tight budget in times of austerity has inevitably caused the working environment to evolve and present new challenges for both the NHS and industry to work together and overcome. There is no doubt that both industry and the NHS are still finding their feet in the wake of the reforms.
However, these changes also provide new opportunities for companies such as ours to help overcome the hurdles and challenges that CCGs and Trusts face, and benefit healthcare professionals and patients alike.
For example, within the new NHS, our industry can provide support that goes beyond just drug therapy provision. We can look at the complete package of service provision to support local CCGs, Payers and HCPs to improve the patient’s experience, which has to be central in all we do.
When we translate that to Vifor, it is critical that we strive to assemble the best possible team of people to interact with customers and stakeholders in all areas of the NHS, so we can really support them in achieving their aims.
What are the most enjoyable things about your role?
I get a kick out of identifying the challenges we and the NHS face and offering solutions that will support patients, HCPs and payers in this changing environment.
Challenges present themselves on a daily basis and no two days are the same – it is impossible to get bored! I also think that working within an industry where we can make genuine improvements to patient care and quality of life is enormously rewarding.
I feel passionate about building a team here at Vifor to provide programmes and initiatives which can make a real difference to patients’ lives and support our partners in healthcare.
We are also developing as a company where colleagues can grow and realise their own potential and that is terrific to be able to witness. Finally, we are a firm that is committed to supporting both national and local charities, allowing us to give back to the community and that is tremendously important to me personally.
And the least enjoyable?
I find it frustrating when economic cost gets placed as a higher priority than care to patients.
This can happen when you are working with people who perhaps find it difficult to see the bigger picture and focus more on quick wins for their specific area. As an industry we need to support our customers in seeing the bigger picture and the importance of longer term initiatives, which demonstrate both cost savings and address patient needs.
What are the most common misconceptions about your field and the people in it?
Unfortunately, I think there is still a common misconception that the pharma industry doesn’t always put patients at the centre of their priorities. It is important that this myth is dispelled.
Our vision is to make a true difference to patient’s lives, through open and honest communication about our products. I hope that this approach will go some way to ensuring that pharma is recognised as a ‘good’ industry and our contributions acknowledged.
Is there someone in your field who has inspired you or from whom you have learnt a lot?
Over the years I have been very fortunate to work with a lot of inspirational people from different countries and cultures, and I genuinely feel that I have learnt from them all.
Similarly, is there someone (or something) outside your field who has been a source of inspiration for you?
Terry Fox was an incredible inspiration to me. He showed true determination and real class when walking across Canada with only one leg while he was terminally ill with cancer. He was able to galvanise a huge amount of support across the country as well as raising awareness of and a huge amount of money for Cancer Research.
His legacy motivated me to complete the John O’Groats to Lands’ End cycle ride, on behalf of Help for Heroes last year. The fact that he was able to carry on with only one leg helped inspire me and made me think that even when the hills were really tough I had to be able to do it with two legs!
On both a personal and a professional level, Vifor is extremely committed to raising money for charity and involved in supporting local patient communities. We are currently gold level supporters of the national charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK, working to help improve the quality of life for patient suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.
Over the Christmas period all of the Vifor Pharma UK team and UK-based global staff took a day out of work to volunteer at one of three locally-based charities; allowing us to engage with the community and support local projects.
Witnessing how genuinely touched all three of the charities were by our enthusiastic support and involvement in the projects has inspired us all to continue supporting local charities in this way.
What is the secret to a happy working life?
Maintaining a healthy work and life balance and having interests and friends outside of work definitely helps me to keep everything in perspective. It is also important to recognise the significance of having a strong, committed and supportive team around you, as this really does impact on your working environment.
My team at Vifor is integral to the success of the company; its enthusiasm creates a positive and constructive atmosphere, which is a pleasure to work in.
If you had advice for anyone starting out in your field now, what would it be?
I’m a strong believer in going with your gut instinct. My advice would be to make sure that you speak your mind and always put your ideas forward for consideration – don’t leave wondering what might have happened.
Biography
Derek Williams, vice president and general manager for Vifor Pharma UK, is responsible for overseeing sales, medical information and marketing of the company’s iron replacement therapies within the UK.
With over 20 years within the international pharmaceutical industry, his career covers sales, marketing (both European and Global), consultancy and general management.
Williams joined Vifor Pharma UK in 2010, following an international career that began with Bayer and was followed by roles in Celltech, Allergan and his own consultancy business.
He was educated in the UK at Bournemouth University and at Wharton Business School in the US.
Brett Wells
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