Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed during this episode are those of the individual speakers and are shared in their personal capacity. They do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the companies with which the speakers are affiliated. In this episode we are joined by Poonam Dhokia, Dolapo Sanni and Zsofia Nemeth. We explore the pharmaceutical industry from the perspective of working across medical affairs, clinical research and strategic roles. We discuss how the industry is structured, the importance of medical–commercial separation, clinical trials, the role of Medical Science Liaisons, and how collaboration between the NHS and pharmaceutical companies can improve research, service development and ultimately patient care. Along the way, we challenge common misconceptions about working in pharma and share practical advice for healthcare professionals on building effective, ethical partnerships with industry.