All those kids who have already decided they want to become "pharmacists when they grow up" but their mums, dads, grandmas or grandpas were not one hundred percent sure how to explain what exactly the experts in the pharmaceutical industry do were able to learn "firsthand" all the little and big pharma-secrets from JGL's Marina Mavrinac and Katarina Mihaljević. At the one-day event called "The Little World of Jobs" held on 17 December in the Arena Zagreb shopping centre, intended for pre-school and primary school children, the children were introduced to the colourful world of jobs and possible future occupations through an entertaining and interactive programme.
Our girls from development analytics, a biology engineer and a pharmaceutical technician, used workshops and playrooms to introduce the kids to their occupations in JGL in an entertaining way. The kids were told that an analyst in Research and Development works on researching and developing analytical methods for testing raw materials and/or JGL products, draws up the analytical method validation protocol, conclusions and studies based on the obtained results, and also prepares analytical methods for regulatory procedures and transfer to the routine of the quality control laboratory. Moreover, a person involved in this business must have a good knowledge of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, understand the chemical reactions mechanism and possible instrument reactions, and the results must be interpreted taking into account all the parameters and drug properties so that the drug would be efficient and safe for the patient.
Apart from carefully absorbing the interesting practical part and cheerfully accepting our promotional gifts, the kids also found out how the technicians in JGL's R&D implement various laboratory methods of testing raw materials and/or products, be it about classical chemical and physical or about modern instrumental methods. They were trained for laboratory work, and they should be meticulous, precise, orderly and adept at working with chemicals and small laboratory equipment.
It should be mentioned that this commendable project serves to sensitize the public to the importance of timely information on the "world of jobs" because timely information - at an early age - is the basic precondition for choosing the right education and future occupation.