Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: API • Stability Studies • Formulation

PK/PD

Term from Pharmaceutical Services industry explained for recruiters

PK/PD stands for Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, which are two key areas in drug development. In simple terms, PK (Pharmacokinetics) looks at how the body processes a drug - like how it's absorbed and eliminated. PD (Pharmacodynamics) examines what the drug does to the body, such as how it reduces pain or fights infection. Think of PK as "what the body does to the drug" and PD as "what the drug does to the body." This knowledge is essential for determining safe and effective drug doses and is a crucial part of developing new medicines.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted PK/PD analysis for Phase II clinical trials of new cancer treatments

Led team developing Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic models for diabetes medications

Created PK/PD reports for regulatory submissions to FDA and EMA

Typical job title: "PK/PD Scientists"

Also try searching for:

Clinical Pharmacologist Pharmacometrician PK/PD Modeler Clinical Pharmacokineticist Pharmacometric Scientist Clinical Pharmacology Scientist Drug Development Scientist

Where to Find PK/PD Scientists

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you explain a complex PK/PD analysis to a non-technical stakeholder?

Expected Answer: Look for ability to simplify technical concepts and communicate clearly. They should be able to explain drug behavior in simple terms and relate it to practical outcomes like dosing recommendations.

Q: Describe a challenging PK/PD project you led and how you overcame any obstacles.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience managing complex drug development projects while coordinating with multiple departments.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when designing a PK study?

Expected Answer: Should mention patient population, sampling times, drug properties, safety considerations, and regulatory requirements. Look for practical experience in study design.

Q: How do you determine if a PK/PD model is reliable?

Expected Answer: Should discuss data quality assessment, model validation techniques, and understanding of basic statistical concepts. Look for experience with real-world data analysis.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Can you explain the difference between PK and PD in simple terms?

Expected Answer: Should be able to clearly explain that PK is how the body processes the drug, while PD is how the drug affects the body. Look for basic understanding of these core concepts.

Q: What software tools have you used for PK/PD analysis?

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with common industry software like Phoenix WinNonlin, NONMEM, or R. Look for basic practical experience with at least one analysis tool.