The next global crisis won’t just need hospitals, it will rely on researchers at the heart of a rapidly growing $2 trillion Pharma industry.
London, April, The Pharma industry has not always been the first choice for students pursuing a career in healthcare. For years, the most common path in healthcare was to become a doctor or a surgeon. That was seen as the most direct way to make an impact. That thinking is now changing.
After the pandemic, people saw the pharmaceutical industry very differently. It was no longer something happening quietly behind the scenes. Everything was right in front of us in 2020. From COVID-19 vaccines to life-saving medicines, the world witnessed scientists and researchers working tirelessly to find solutions. This highlighted a critical need for more skilled professionals in the industry than ever before, and many countries are still lagging behind.
However, according to the International Pharmaceutical Federation, there are over 5.5 million pharmacists worldwide, highlighting the scale of the profession and the growing need for skilled professionals. At the same time, the industry itself is expanding rapidly. By 2029, the market is expected to move beyond $2 trillion, according to a Statista report.
As more students begin to explore this field, the impact could go far beyond just handling another pandemic. It opens doors to finding cures for some of the world’s most serious diseases.
Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Business Officer at Prodigy Finance, says, “We will always need doctors, engineers, and business leaders, but we also need more talent in the pharmaceutical and research space. It is great to see that, post-pandemic, more students are looking at this field differently. For some, it is not just about career growth or fancy life abroad; it is personal. Many have seen the impact of healthcare challenges up close, especially during the pandemic, and want to be part of the solution.”
Sonal further added that, at the same time, many students feel that entering global pharma education is difficult, but there are a growing number of universities offering specialised programmes in this space. Many top global institutions, such as the University of Aberdeen, the University of Nottingham, and Monash University, are recognised for their strong pharmacy and life sciences programs. They offer students access to research opportunities, laboratories, and industry exposure. Platforms like NovaGrad are helping bring these options together, allowing students to explore multiple institutions and find programmes that align with their goals more easily.
Sonal elaborates that this shift is already visible in student journeys. One such example is Harini Shanmugasundaram. Growing up in Chennai, she followed a traditional path and completed her dentistry degree. She began her career as an intern at a government dental hospital, and everything seemed to be on track. Though something changed during the pandemic.
Like all of us, Harini too witnessed the world slow down during the pandemic. She saw governments, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies come together, all working tirelessly to find answers to something the world had never faced before. And somewhere in that moment, something changed for her. She realised healthcare wasn’t just about treating patients in a clinic. There was an entire world of research behind it, quietly shaping the future of medicine. That idea stayed with her and slowly turned into curiosity.
Today, Harini is pursuing a master’s degree in Biomedical Science with a focus on neuroscience at Rutgers University in the US. The world needs more people like Harini. Pollution is rising, climate issues are getting real, and we’ve already seen what a pandemic can do. The need for people working in research and healthcare has never been more important. These are the people who will help us find answers, develop treatments, and prepare for what lies ahead.
About Prodigy Finance
Founded in 2007, Prodigy Finance is an international student lender that has helped over 45,000+ international master’s students attend the world’s top universities. To date, Prodigy has disbursed over $2.3 billion in funding to students from more than 150 countries. Prodigy Finance is fueled by impact investors and other privately qualified entities who invest in tomorrow’s leaders while earning a financial and social return. Prodigy’s borderless lending model enables students to apply for a loan based on their future earning potential and not just their current circumstances and credit history.
*Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
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* 11.92% APR representative variable, based on a total credit amount of USD 41,680 (USD 40,000 amount borrowed + 4.2% admin fee), repayable over 180 months at a variable interest rate of 10.85%(7.2% fixed + 3.65% variable). Initial monthly repayments of USD 100 (30 Months). Subsequent monthly repayments of USD 563.60 (150 Months). Total interest payable USD 62,767.24. Total amount payable USD 104,447.24.
