Who are the biggest pharmaceutical companies and employers in the UK?

Pharmaceutical research, manufacturing and sales contribute a sizeable portion to the UK economy. So, unsurprisingly pharmaceutical companies offer plenty of employment opportunities for graduates. But who are the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the UK? And what do you need to know about working for a big pharma company?

We’ll run through:

• Top pharmaceutical companies in the UK
• Types of pharmaceutical companies and roles
• How pharmaceutical graduate employers differ from other sectors
• How to get a role with one of the big pharma companies

There are lots of major pharmaceutical companies in the UK.

Some of the big pharma companies that hire graduates are:

Johnson & Johnson is one of the biggest names in health and pharmaceuticals. With almost 140 years of experience, Johnson & Johnson continues to strive towards innovation and create smarter and less invasive treatments.

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) is a multinational, science-led healthcare company, providing medicines and vaccines. Focusing on global health, it’s a great company for those who want to make a difference in the lives of millions.

TTP (The Technology Partnership) delivers tech-focused solutions across various sectors, including medical devices and drug delivery. At TTP, scientists and engineers collaborate across health tech, life science and deep tech.

AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical company, focused on transforming the future of healthcare. Its Cambridge research and development (R&D) centre is the UK’s largest.

Merck Group is a large science and technology company. With over 63,000 employees across 65 countries, its positions include a diverse range of roles including global procurement and supply chain managers.

Novartis is a worldwide pharmaceutical manufacturer. It requires scientists, quality assurance managers, and coordinated administrative staff.

Pfizer is a research-based biopharmaceutical company, working to improve people’s lives through service and science. Pfizer offers opportunities to make a difference in numerous departments – all focused on creating world-changing products.

Roche is one of the largest biotech companies. It’s a leading provider of in-vitro diagnostics and supplies innovative solutions across major disease areas.

Superdrug is a pharmacy chain. With branches nationwide, it has plenty of management and service roles for grads who like being on the ground level.

Boots is the UK’s largest pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer. Its substantial number of locations means it offers lots of pharmacist and dispenser roles.

Eli Lilly & Company – which is simply known as Lily – is a multinational pharmaceutical business. Established in 1876, it remains committed to its founder’s vision of creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs.

Novo Nordisk is a pharmaceutical company that specialises in chronic diseases, including diabetes, growth disorders and Alzheimer’s.

Bayer is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and biomedical companies. It focuses on life sciences, including agriculture and healthcare.

Amgen is a leading biotechnology organisation. Amgen believes in a “biology first” approach to cure diseases.

Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company that’s a leader in oncology (the study of cancer). It also focuses on immunology where it’s working to find solutions in rheumatology, gastroenterology, dermatology and neurology.

The pharma industry covers four distinct areas:

• Research
• Manufacturing
• Marketing
• Distribution

Some pharmaceutical companies will focus on a particular area, while others will take on multiple stages.

As there are many steps to getting medicine market-ready, there’s a wide variety of roles in the pharmaceutical industry. You could work as a scientist searching for medicinal breakthroughs. You might want to be the chemical engineer who makes drug production possible. Alternatively, you may want to interact directly with patients and become a pharmacist. It’s up to you.

If you’re considering a career in pharma, take your time to think about the type of company you’d like to work for and the job you’d like. The more research you do, the better chance you’ll have of finding a firm that aligns with your values and a role that perfectly complements your skill set. How much you can earn in the pharmaceutical industry will depend on who you work for and the role you do.

Whatever area you decide to focus on, if you’ve got a penchant for philanthropy, innovative thinking and scientific enquiry, you’ll flourish in a pharmaceutical role.

Like many sectors, you’ll find grad schemes in the pharmaceutical industry. However, depending on the nature of the role, some schemes will be more structured than others. For certain pharma jobs, you’ll need to receive specific training. As a result, many pharmaceutical graduate jobs contain a structured learning programme. Essentially, you’ll earn while you learn!

Like the sound of a pharma grad job? You need to know what pharmaceutical companies look for in an ideal candidate. Typically, firms will be on the hunt for two core skills: maths and science. If you’re pursuing a degree in either subject, a pharmaceutical employer will seriously consider your application if you make a good impression with your CV and cover letter.

Look out for opportunities to get work experience too. Many of the major pharmaceutical companies in the UK offer a year’s work experience to eligible students, sandwiched between your academic studies. Plus, science and pharmaceutical internships are a great way of building up your skills.

Don’t have a STEM degree? There are still opportunities within the sector. While a science background is advantageous to pharma sales reps, it isn’t essential. Alternatively, you might be able to enter the sector via an apprenticeship. To view available apprenticeships in England, use the government’s apprenticeship search tool.

There are numerous top pharmaceutical companies based in the UK, with plenty of employment opportunities.

The pharma firm and role that’ll suit you will depend on the area of study you’re interested in (ie. specific diseases), the stage you’d like to support (ie. research, manufacturing, marketing, distribution) and your skill set.

The biggest pharmaceutical companies have all sorts of roles contributing to a smooth operation. With a range of positions and lots of firms to choose from, you’ll find a place where you’ll shine.

For more information about working in the industry, the types of roles and the skills you’ll need, visit our science and pharmaceuticals sector profile.

This article was last updated in May, 2025.