QPs Have Never Had it So Good: Four-Wheeled Benefi

PiR has today released its essential guide to Qualified Persons (QP) salaries and benefits – The QP Salary Survey and Report.This is a must-have reference work for employers including all HR professionals, recruitment consultants and industry commentators, as well as employees in the pharmaceutical sector. It is the eagerly-awaited sequel to the ground-breaking survey first carried out by PiR in 1999. The data reveals that there is no longer a ‘north/south divide’ but more of an ‘Eire and Northern Ireland inflation’, with large increases being offered in basic salary to Permanent Provision QPs electing to relocate to this area. However, perhaps the most interesting point noticed in the survey results is the new homogeneity of salaries in the UK and Eire, showing that companies now have to pay the market rate for a QP, regardless of where they are located in the country. Jeffrey Webb, Director at PiR commented, “This latest 2002 edition is the most authoritative analysis yet of the QP market as it is based on a full 20% of the population in this profession. The updated data will help employers to set QP salary levels and understand what other companies are offering in terms of remuneration and benefits in order to retain this very valuable part of the pharmaceutical workforce. Our survey this year shows that QPs have never had it so good with salaries and benefits better than ever – with particularly large increases for those entering the profession.” Such is the demand for QPs, particularly newly-qualified ones, the survey uncovers a 30% increase in basic salary levels since 1999 for those at the lower end of the career ladder. This means in practice that companies are paying, on average, in excess of £30K for an entry level QP - even one who has just qualified. There have also been dramatic increases in QP benefits; Overall, the level of company car provision and allowance has more than doubled to over 54% - that means that over a half of those questioned have better four-wheeled benefits than three years ago. Those who remember the 1999 survey will recall predictions of a potential ‘time bomb’ waiting to explode with one third of the QP population aged between 50-65 years, the group most likely to be thinking of retiring or taking up consultancy roles, which appears to be causing noticeable skills shortages. Well, this prediction was confirmed as there has been a decrease in the number of Transitional QPs – attributed to individuals retiring, taking up consultancy or contract opportunities. On the whole, though, the quantity of QPs available has not declined as much as previously forecast; but there is no room for complacency as neither has the pool of available QPs increased significantly – despite a concerted effort by many companies who have invested in training QPs internally. Will these efforts increase the QP pool we wonder? We’ll have to wait for the 2004 survey to see….. Paul Hartigan, Managing Director of Pharmiweb further endorsed the survey report by saying “Since the first PiR Group QP Salary & Benefits Survey Report highlighted the QP age time bomb in 1999, the industry has become increasingly aware of the problems surrounding the training, recruitment & retention of QPs. PiR Group's 2002 Survey Report brings the industry up-to-date on the salaries, benefits and changes to the QP population. This report will assist Pharmaceutical companies in their recruitment and retention strategies. We look forward to joining the discussions at PiR's QP forums when these issues will be discussed in depth.” ENDS Notes to Editors About the Survey The survey include an analysis of and expert commentary on key issues such as:

· salaries & benefits

· regional salary trends

· transitional versus permanent provision

· QPs releasing products versus QPs in a non-release or senior roles

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· veterinary versus human pharmaceuticals

· flexibility for relocation and training

· the QP pipeline

The questions were administered across a comprehensive sample of 230 individuals and 27 companies within the UK and Eire. The full report can be purchased for £375 + VAT. About PiR Group PiR Group is a leading executive search and selection company – identifying leaders and experts for international pharmaceutical, biotechnology and biopharmaceutical organisations. They specialise in identifying people who help to shape and grow companies. They manage European projects, when necessary utilising associates and affiliates. Through this PiR has built up a clear picture of life science and academic clusters in the key European centres. This knowledge ensures clients have access to industry experts who may well be working outside the UK. This process is also being applied to mapping North America. PiR has developed successful long-standing partnerships with a range of world-class companies since our launch in 1990. Our location near Cambridge, England, finds us at the centre of one of the fastest growing biotechnology regions in Europe, renowned for producing and attracting entrepreneurial talent and research based companies. Key services are:

· Search & Selection across Europe

· Recruitment Project Management

· Specialist Salary Surveys

For more information on the QP Salary Survey& Report please contact Anna Munford on 01480 493344 or, if dialling from outside the UK: Latest news and updates can also be found at www.pir.co.uk