Clare McCarthy

2020 STEP Ahead Emerging Leader

Pharmaceutical Technology Specialist
Allergan

It is rewarding to know you are part of a team of people who get the opportunity to provide patients with medicines that have a positive impact on their day to day lives. It’s an ever-changing environment full of technical challenges, new emerging technologies and endless possibilities.

Clare began her career at Allergan Clonshaugh in 2015 in QA Process Support, where she very soon took on extra responsibility as a “Train the Trainer” lead. In early 2017, she continued this commitment to professional development by transitioning to the Clonshaugh Pharmaceutical Technology group, where she has worked with many commercial product investigations. Her efficiency, positive attitude and dedication to excellence have led to positions of increased responsibility. Currently, Clare represents the Pharm Tech team within the OSD VSM project, where her skills have enabled significant throughput increases.

Clare was also recently awarded the opportunity to lead the peri-ocular ring project, where she oversaw final preparations and initiated clinical manufacture while overcoming various technical challenges. Her remarkable organizational skills have been invaluable in managing this large, complex project.

Always willing and eager to welcome new employees to the Pharm Tech group, Clare frequently organizes group lunches, provides tours and goes out of her way to make others feel appreciated. Clare also provides training for new peri-ocular ring product operators, many of whom have limited technical experience, but she takes a patient “we’re all in this together” approach so that they get up to speed quickly. Since Clare did not have strong female role models in the science and technology fields when she was younger, she is also passionate about mentoring other young women starting out at Allergan.

Clare lends her time to many causes, from serving as chair of her local residents’ association, to volunteering at an animal conservation park. She participates regularly in charity runs which raise funds for organizations such as the Irish Cancer Society, Goal, Breast Cancer Ireland and the Sean Cox Rehabilitation Fund. Clare has also headed the Dublin Institute of Technology SUAS Society, promoting education both at home and overseas.