Tracy Walshe, director vaccines drug substance, Grange Castle, Co Dublin
How long have you worked for Pfizer?
More than 18 years. I went to the States with Pfizer after finishing my postgraduate degree. I was supposed to go for 18 months but three years later, I came home.
What does your job involve?
I am responsible for the area which manufactures the drug substance for Pfizer’s pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. We make all of the drug substance (the liquid part that goes into a syringe or vial) here for the entire world, so maintaining supply of a quality product is key to my role.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
Teamwork with people who really care about what they’re doing There’s a real buzz about it. Also, one of the greatest things about this site, and my area specifically, is the vaccine we make is of huge benefit to global health.
What’s the best thing about working for Pfizer?
It’s no accident that I’m here 18 years. Pfizer has got such diverse technology and great opportunities to do different things which can make a positive difference to patients' lives.
What are your interests outside of work?
I have two small kids, aged five and seven, so they keep me busy. I like to cook and bake, and I do a good bit of running. I won’t say I like running, but I do a good bit.
Dylan Burke, Product Portfolio Leader, New Product Introduction and Technology Value Stream, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork
How long have you worked for Pfizer?
For eight years in July.
What does your job involve?
A PPL has responsibility for end-to-end oversight for products transferring to the Ringaskiddy site in Co Cork from Pfizer research and development. Day-to-day, we deliver operational excellence in the fundamentals of safety, quality and supply, and ensure that key medicines are then delivered to the patients on time. What this involves is leading technical teams in the technical transfer and scale-up of new products, and implementing new technologies to support the manufacture of those products.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
Day-to-day, it’s the challenging and dynamic environment. There are always new challenges, and no two days at work are the same. Also, the people we have working here in Ringaskiddy are very talented, enthusiastic and engaged. That obviously helps when you’re working in an environment that’s challenging.
What’s the best thing about working for Pfizer?
One of my favourite aspects is seeing the impact that we’ve had on patients, seeing how the work we do day-to-day affects them. We put patients first.
What are your interests outside of work?
I play hurling and Gaelic football for my local clubs: Whitechurch in hurling and White’s Cross in football, so that takes up most of my time outside work.
Dr Alistair McBride, deputy medical director, Pfizer Healthcare Ireland, Citywest, Co Dublin
How long have you worked for Pfizer?
For eight-and-a-half years.
What does your job involve?
I work for the commercial operations at Pfizer Healthcare Ireland. As a physician, my job is to support that commercial function with my clinical knowledge and knowledge of medicines. The second aspect of my job is helping healthcare professionals use our medicines to their best potential.
What’s your favourite aspect of your job?
My favourite aspect is helping healthcare professionals use our drugs to the best of their potential. So, answering questions, giving lectures. You know there’s a patient potentially on the end of that information that you’re giving. That’s the part of my job that gives me the most pleasure.
What’s the best thing about working for Pfizer?
For me, the best thing about Pfizer is the medicines it makes. Some of them are truly incredible; what they can offer for people that have the diseases they treat. For example, we can treat acromegaly, where the pituitary gland in your brain secretes too much growth hormone, which is dangerous in large doses, and we can block that. It’s not only incredible in the way it works, but also an incredible feat of chemical engineering to produce that. It’s a truly wonderful thing.
What are your interests outside of work?
I enjoy history and psychology. Outside of that, I love playing golf and watching cricket.