Anita Earlene Gandola, Sr. Manager Global Market Access and Pricing Oncology Franchise, Healthcare Business of Merck
Alumni Service
5 September 2022
In order to help current students and recent graduates to find their way in the working world, many of our alumni shared their career story. Here the story of Anita Earlene Gandola, Sr. Manager Global Market Access and Pricing Oncology Franchise for Healthcare Business of Merck in Nyon (CH).
USI Degrees: Master in Public Management and Policy, 2018 and Bachelor in Economics, 2015.
How did you start your career?
I started my career in the healthcare business with a 6-month internship as an HEOR (health economics and outcomes research) researcher at the R&D HQ of Nestlé for their infant formulae and fortified food business. The internship opportunity was created by the USI Career Service and posted on their platform - although I did not know what to expect fully, I took on the challenge and decided to candidate and eventually got the position. After that, I moved to the pharmaceutical business for a small-sized company based in the Suisse Romande area called Debiopharm International SA - active in the hematology-oncology and antibiotic space.There I carried out another 1-year internship in Market Access, Pricing and HEOR and rapidly progressed to roles of increasing responsibility.
I currently work as Global Market Access and Pricing Senior Manager within the Oncology Franchise of the Healthcare Business of Merck KGaA.
Why did you choose a career in Healthcare Business of Merck?
The healthcare business of Merck KGaA is a mid-sized pharmaceutical player heavily investing in oncology, and neurology&immunology research to bring meaningful innovation to patients and their family. They have a global culture, are very attentive to diversity, equity, inclusion and sustainability topics, fostering a culture of a sustainable workplace - both environmentally and in terms of work-life balance.
What is your current role/duties?
As Senior Manger within the Global Market Access and Pricing Oncology team I am responsible for developing and implementing access and reimbursement strategies to maximize the value of our assets throughout product development and commercialization. We optimize patient access through sustainable pricing and reimbursement strategies that bring value to society and Merck KGaA.
In your opinion, what are the qualities necessary for a successful career in Healthcare Business of Merck?
- Curiosity
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Meticulousness
- Reliability
What positive aspects and qualities meant most to you during the study programme you attended?
- Curiosity: the size of USI and its courses provide a unique platform to feed your curiosity by interacting with your fellow students and professors. Take advantage of it!
- Teamwork: due to its highly international character, students from very desperate cultures learn how to excel in teamwork;
- Integration and collaboration: it is key to be able to develop partnerships with your internal stakeholders (colleagues from your team, outside your team, your manager) and external stakeholders (patient and clinical community, health authorities); the PMP Master program helps you ground a mindset that integrates the complex societal implications of regulated businesses such as healthcare.
What is your advice to USI students entering the job market?
- Be true to yourself to recognize what you love doing; before your first job, think about what do you do during days that seem to pass by in the blink of an eye vs days that never come to an end and do take into considerations your natural inclinations when doing your first experiences.
- Always be curious! Even when you don't have a 100% clear idea of what an experience will bring you, be true to yourself and ask every question you have. It might unlock the opportunity of your lifetime or simply make you discover something new about the world and yourself.
