Because the vast majority of medical writers launch their careers at one of the three main employer types-medical communications agencies, CROs, and pharmaceutical companies- this chapter focuses on them. This diversity of employers reflects the broad array of tasks that medical writers are expected to perform-all of which makes medical writing an exciting and varied career choice. However, many also find gainful employment in advertising or public relations agencies, hospitals or university medical centers, nonprofit organizations, medical or scientific publishing companies, and government agencies. Medical writers are most commonly employed by medical communications agencies (also known as medical education agencies), contract research organizations (also known as clinical research organizations ), and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Medical writing may be a relatively new career, but the market has spread so quickly that medical writers can now be found in an astonishing variety of organizations. Medical writers stepped into the breach, deftly taking up the challenge to accurately disseminate biomedical information to a variety of audiences, whether charting the clinical development of a new drug for submission to healthcare authorities, drafting a clinical-trial report for publication in a medical journal, or preparing a slide presentation for a symposium at a scientific conference.

The proliferation of promising drug targets in recent decades led to a boom in regulatory submissions and a definite shortage of people with the required skills to prepare this documentation.

Submitting a new drug to regulatory authorities for marketing approval involves the painstaking preparation of scientific documents so detailed and numerous that, until electronic submissions became the norm, they could quite literally fill entire trucks. Over the past half century, scientific and medical knowledge has increased exponentially-so rapidly, in fact, that the originators of that knowledge (including scientists and medical doctors) began to struggle to communicate it effectively. If you recognize yourself in this description, then perhaps it is time to throw off that lab coat and launch your medical writing career. Successful medical writers are excellent communicators, fast learners, sticklers for detail, and have a service-oriented mind-set.

The career path of medical communications blends scientific expertise with a passion for communication. Those in the account management track support the editorial team to ensure that projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in compliance with stringent industry guidelines and regulations. After gaining some experience at a company, a medical writer can move into a management position, become a freelance writer, or move to a related career. They produce and/or manage the production of a wide range of materials, including newsletters, slide decks, posters, manuscripts, conference booth materials, websites, and electronic applications.

The editorial track, which is the most common track for those with a scientific bent, includes editorial assistants, medical editors, and medical writers, who are responsible for the development of all editorial content. Medical communications offers two distinct career trajectories: editorial and account management.

Novartis medical writer salary