If you have ever considered working in the field of regulatory affairs, this article is for you. A career in this growing field offers both exciting and rewarding opportunities, but it is also a challenging field to get into since many of the positions require previous experience and a certain level of education.

What is the role of regulatory affairs?

The role that regulatory affairs employment opportunities plays in a variety of different life science companies is Imperative for the success of the company as well as the safety and well-being of the public. This is because the role of a regulatory affairs specialist is to ensure that a company is following the rules and regulations set forth by governing agencies to provide not only effective healthcare in beauty products but that they are safe as well. Those types of products can include medications, medical devices, and even cosmetics. Even the food industry has regulatory affairs specialists on-site to ensure that all rules and regulations are being followed properly while products are being created, manufactured, and marketed.

A person working in regulatory affairs has the responsibility to stay on top of the constantly changing legislation and guidelines that are put in place to ensure that companies operate as they are required to do so to protect the public in general. There are certain scientific as well as legal standards that all products must meet before they are distributed to consumers. A professional working in the field of regulatory affairs is responsible for collecting and evaluating data to ensure that companies stay in compliance with all governmental regulations for those particular products the company manufactures. 

Regulatory affairs specialists play an extremely important role in a variety of different industries, such as pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, nutrition, cosmetics, and medical devices. There is a high demand for skilled regulatory affairs specialists to fill vacancies in a variety of different types of companies.

To become a professional in the field of regulatory affairs, you should have at least an undergraduate degree in some type of science, such as chemistry, engineering, nursing, or pharmacy. There are rare cases in which a person can secure a position as a regulatory affairs administrator without a degree, but it is a more junior role, and it will be difficult for that person to advance in their career in the future.

Is the regulatory affairs job boring?

Keeping in mind that the main job of a regulatory affairs specialist is to ensure the safety of all products being manufactured, including medicines, devices, food, and cosmetics, the room may seem boring, but it is actually much more exciting and complex than people realize. The regulatory affairs professional is tasked with acting as a liaison between the person's employer as well as the products the employer produces and the governing agencies that provide the guidelines, rules, and regulations that must be followed in that particular field.

A regulatory affairs specialist is busy ensuring that the company the person works for is producing products that comply with all regulations. The person in this role must also collect, collate, and assess scientific data that pertains to that particular type of product while also preparing reports for regulatory approval. The person in this type of job will also have to advise various departments on the regulatory requirements that govern them while also offering strategic advice to management to ensure the success of the company. This is a very important yet versatile position that will offer candidates an array of different employment opportunities at a variety of companies, industries, and government agencies, as well as clinics and hospitals.

This type of job is definitely not boring since there is always something new to learn and different people to meet with on a daily basis. Rules and regulations provided by governing agencies can change on a dime, so it can be very exciting and exhilarating to ensure that companies are following the proper procedures to produce their products.

Is it worth doing a master's in regulatory affairs?

While a person with only a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a scientific field, can garner a job in the field of regulatory affairs, it helps candidates even more if they possess a master’s degree in some type of science, including regulatory affairs itself. The popularity of certificate programs is also on the rise, which people in the field of regulatory affairs can earn along with a master’s degree. This allows them to have even more of an edge when applying for jobs or promotions in the growing field of regulatory affairs.

Many people may wonder if a master’s degree in regulatory affairs, or a related field, is necessary or beneficial and the answer, quite simply, is yes, it is definitely worth it. Not only is this field very rewarding for people who work in it, but it can also be very lucrative. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income for a regulatory affairs specialist with a master’s degree is well over $100,000 per year. It is also a very respectable and interesting career path and there is definitely room for growth as the need for these types of positions grows throughout the United States and elsewhere.

Contact Us

Fladger Associates offers staffing opportunities for a variety of careers, including the growing career path in regulatory affairs. Contact us and call the professionals at Fladger Associates today so you can get started on a career in the field of regulatory affairs.