Marvin Ng is a Manager of Pharmacy Programs with McKesson Canada. He works in Markham Ontario and travels across Canada as part of his work.
Where They're Working
Marvin’s interest in a corporate pharmacy role was born out of his passion for the community setting.
“At McKesson there’s so much that I can do to help our profession as a whole. I have been labeled many things since taking on this position - corporate pharmacist, industry pharmacist, and more. But whatever label I get, my goal has not changed – in my role I get to assist pharmacists in advancing the profession.”
His experiences as a co-op student prepared him for his job by inciting an interest for exploring and learning about pharmacy practice across Canada. As a Manager of Pharmacy Programs, he travels throughout the country, working with pharmacies to identify ways to drive uptake of pharmacy programs.
Reflections on the Program
“The incredible co-op experience at UW was second to none and has given me such an advantage in the working world. Additionally, I was able to explore unique aspects of pharmacy and to learn what I really like.”
Pharmacy programs consist of toolkits and materials that help pharmacies implement or provide new offerings. These services will address the clinical needs of patients in that particular community. Marvin meets with independent pharmacy owners under McKesson’s banner to conduct consultations.
“This can be as simple as helping the pharmacy setup a complete diabetic consultation for patients through clinics,” explains Marvin. “Or it can be as complex as making big changes to the pharmacy workflow all together.”
The pharmacies Marvin visits have unique characteristics that result from the community where they’re located. Navigating the specific needs of each pharmacist and pharmacy is one of the biggest challenges of his role.
“Not all pharmacy programs will thrive in every pharmacy and so I really need to cater to the independent owners I work with. It’s important to find a solution that will help the pharmacy stand out in its community,” he explains.
“Sometimes my job is easy because the pharmacy team has bought into the idea, and just needs assistance making it work in their pharmacy. Other times, I would need to explain the program benefits and help more substantially with the implementation process. Every day is different, and I like that about my work.”
Alumni Answers
UW: What advice do you have for those interested in a corporate pharmacy role?
MN: Don’t undersell yourself! I always joke that pharmacists are the worst salespeople, and I am also guilty of that. Remember that through school and training, pharmacists have an extraordinary skillset. Communication skills, attention to detail, clinical knowledge and understanding of the pharmacy industry – these are all assets in the corporate world. To get started, get involved with different projects around the school or workplace. Get a sense of what it’s like to carry out a full scale project, and, if you like it, make more opportunities to do that kind of work. Keep doing what you are passionate about - the opportunities will naturally appear.
UW: You travel a lot for work. What are some interesting experiences you’ve had travelling?
MN: I once travelled to Wilberforce, Ontario to visit a rural pharmacy. The roads there were so bizarre that Google told me to drive through a forest to get there! Luckily, I found my way out. There was also no cell signal in the pharmacy. It was quite the experience being disconnected from the world.
It was also neat to visit Manitoulin Island in the off-season, without all the tourists. It was so peaceful and beautiful. It’s been a fantastic experience travelling across Canada and experience the regional differences. I’ve also been able to find quite few hidden gem restaurants in the smaller towns!
Non-Pharm Fun
Marvin on a trip to Iceland.
“I like my quiet downtime. A good Netflix binge in bed without moving an inch is perfect – just for a day. Otherwise, I do enjoy cooking and trying out new recipes. Since I don’t work in a dispensary and compound, I play with my food to help me cope. Also, I love to travel and am planning to hit up many more countries!”