Shaping the Future of Patient Safety: A Conversation with Hassan Aljobori

At ICON, patient safety is the foundation of everything we do. Hassan Aljobori, Director of Pharmacovigilance, shares his journey through nine years of growth at ICON, the principles that drive excellence in pharmacovigilance, and why now is an exciting time to join this field.

For Hassan, the path to pharmacovigilance was a natural extension of his passion as a trained pharmacist and his MSc in Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology. “I’ve always been passionate about patient safety, which I think naturally led me to a career in pharmacovigilance,” he explains. What drew him to ICON specifically was the organisation’s reputation as a leader in the CRO space, supporting hundreds of clinical trials and post-marketing programs across diverse therapeutic areas globally.

Over nearly a decade at ICON, Hassan has progressed through various positions within pharmacovigilance. When asked which role had the greatest impact on his development, he reflects: “If I had to choose one, it would probably be my time as a senior manager. That role introduced me to a wide range of challenges, some really difficult ones, but it had a profound influence on my professional development.”

Patient safety is central to every decision at ICON PV, but what truly distinguishes the organisation is its commitment to innovation. “Our focus on innovation, maintaining high standards of quality, and ensuring compliance in a very complex regulatory environment... these aspects, especially the innovation piece and patient safety, set us apart,” Hassan explains.

When it comes to delivering consistent quality and operational excellence, Hassan identifies several critical factors: 

Regulatory expertise combined with operational leadership – “Balancing both is a privilege that allows me to make well-informed decisions. Having exposure to both worlds enables me to make the most appropriate decisions, always with patient safety as the utmost priority.”

Pharmacovigilance doesn’t operate in isolation at ICON. Hassan collaborates with multiple teams across functions, both within and outside the organisation. “The ultimate goal is to deliver safe medicines and devices to patients and continuously monitor their impact in a post-marketing environment,” he says.

What excites Hassan most about the future of pharmacovigilance? The rapid integration of automation and AI. “One of the most exciting aspects of my position is driving innovation within the pharmacovigilance business. I’m eager to witness the transformative impact of these technologies on operations and how the field will adapt.”

What does it take to succeed in pharmacovigilance at ICON? Hassan highlights several important qualities: “Transparency, authenticity, networking, and willingness to learn from colleagues at all levels, even those above or below you, have been instrumental in my professional development.”

Hassan’s message to those considering a career in pharmacovigilance at ICON is unequivocal: “Go for it. Absolutely go for it.”