Lost at what to study? Discover your direction with our Career Compass! Explore opportunities in the drug discovery and development industry to map your educational path.
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21 Aug 2025
8 Min Read
Taylor's Team (Editor)
Lost at what to study? Discover your direction with our Career Compass! Explore opportunities in the drug discovery and development industry to map your educational path.
Drug discovery and development is the engine behind many medical breakthroughs. It transforms lab research into the medicines people rely on every day and plays a vital role in diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide range of health conditions — from minor illnesses to life-threatening diseases.
The field spans key areas such as cancer treatments and dengue vaccines, while also evolving to include halal-certified pharmaceuticals and research into traditional medicine. It brings together experts in pharmaceutical science, biomedical research, and healthcare policy, all working to deliver better medicines and improve lives.
But what exactly is drug discovery and development, and why should you, as a high school graduate, consider a career in this field?
It’s the process of discovering, developing, and continuously monitoring new medicines to ensure they are safe, effective, and beneficial for patients over time. This field combines science, innovation, and problem-solving to address real health challenges.
Curious about how medicines are developed or want to make a difference in public health? The field of drug discovery and development brings together science, innovation, and purpose, offering meaningful careers in research, testing, safety, and more. Let’s explore five of these roles and the study pathways that can help you get there.
A Formulation Scientist helps turn promising drug ideas into real, usable medicines such as tablets, creams, or injections. They explore how to make the medicine safe, effective, and easy for people to take, while also making sure it can be produced reliably.
This career is a great fit for those who want to make a real impact in people’s lives by turning science into something tangible. If you're driven by the idea of helping others and curious about how everyday medicines are created, this path offers a meaningful way to combine creativity with purpose.
A Toxicologist studies how chemicals, drugs, and environmental toxins affect humans, animals, and ecosystems. Their job involves conducting lab experiments, analysing toxicological data, and assessing health and safety risks. They also support regulatory approvals and guide companies on meeting safety standards and environmental health regulations.
This career is a great fit for those who are passionate about science, safety, and the environment. If you’re someone who enjoys lab work, wants to solve health and environmental problems, and likes the idea of contributing to public safety, toxicology offers a rewarding and impactful path for you.
An Industrial Pharmacist plays a key role in the large-scale production of medicines. They work in pharmaceutical manufacturing to oversee how drugs are made, ensuring that each product meets strict quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Their job often involves collaborating with R&D teams to improve drug formulations, optimise production efficiency, and solve any manufacturing issues that may arise.
This role is ideal for those who are curious about how medicines are developed and produced at scale, and who want to contribute to ensuring safe, effective treatments reach the public. If you enjoy hands-on, process-driven work, take an interest in pharmaceutical innovation, and value quality, safety, and regulatory precision, industrial pharmacy offers a purposeful and impactful career path.
Not sure if this path is right for you? Talk with a counsellor to explore how your interests can fit into the world of drug discovery and development — and find out which programmes can help you get there. They’re here to help you map it out.
A Pharmacokineticist investigates how drugs move through the body — how they’re absorbed, distributed, metabolised, and excreted (ADME). They help determine safe and effective dosages by analysing drug levels in the body, using lab data and simulations.
This role is ideal for individuals who are interested in biology, chemistry, and data. If you're curious about how the body handles medication or how scientists figure out the ‘right dose’ for different people, this pathway offers a fascinating blend of lab science and data-driven decision-making for you.
A Pharmacovigilance Analyst monitors and evaluates the safety of pharmaceutical products after they are released to the market. They collect and analyse data on adverse drug reactions (ADRs), prepare safety reports, and ensure regulatory compliance with national and international standards.
This career is a great fit for those who care about patient safety and want to play a role in protecting people’s health. If you're curious about how medicines work, concerned about side effects, or interested in how science keeps the public safe, this role offers a meaningful way to contribute.
Embarking on a career in the drug discovery and development field is an exciting journey filled with opportunities to improve lives, drive medical breakthroughs, and tackle real-world health challenges. Whether you're interested in designing new drugs, testing their safety, or ensuring they reach patients responsibly, there’s a path for you in this vital field.
By focusing on the right subjects in high school and building relevant skills and knowledge, you can turn your interest in biology, chemistry, or healthcare into a meaningful career that supports better treatments, stronger health systems, and scientific progress.
Remember, the future of medicine depends on curious minds who are ready to ask questions, run experiments, and keep learning — and that could start with you.
