Volunteer at Pharmadanmark: “We're strongest when we stand together”

Every day, a strong group of dedicated volunteers help ensure that Pharmadanmark stands strong and remains the best possible trade union for everyone working in Life Science.

Our volunteers take on many different roles across Pharmadanmark. They serve on the executive board, section boards, and in committees.

They form the foundation of our work. Without volunteers, there would be no Pharmadanmark.

Each year, we say thank you to our many volunteers at a New Year’s reception. We celebrate their commitment, wrap up the past year, and look ahead at the year to come.

Two of the volunteers attending this year’s reception were Frederik Grell Nørgaard and Eleonora Paulsen. We asked them why they choose to spend part of their time working for Pharmadanmark.

Frederik Grell Nørgaard, member of the executive board

Frederik Grell Nørgaard is a trained pharmacist and began his career at the Danish Medicines Agency straight after graduating.

“It was meant to be an exciting first job focused on assessing clinical trials. But working to create the best possible conditions for pharmaceutical research turned out to be so meaningful that I stayed,” Frederik says.

“For me, it is about giving something back to the professional community and contributing to a mission I believe in.”

“Today, I am head of section in a highly skilled department. Every day, we work to make Denmark and the European Union the best place in the world to conduct and take part in clinical research.”

In November 2025, Frederik was elected to the executive board of Pharmadanmark. Here, he helps set the strategic direction of the union and ensures that Pharmadanmark represents its members’ interests in a rapidly changing labour market.

“I chose to stand for this position of trust because I am passionate about contributing actively to Pharmadanmark’s development. My ambition is for us to remain the strongest and most relevant trade union within life sciences,” he says.

Why do you want to volunteer for Pharmadanmark?

“For me, it is about giving something back to the professional community and contributing to a mission I believe in. It is deeply meaningful to help shape the framework conditions for my colleagues in the industry. I will also be honest and say that gaining more board experience motivates me personally.”

Why is a trade union like Pharmadanmark important today?

“The basic answer is the same as always: We are strongest when we stand together. Even though the Life Science industry is growing and thriving, we also see the downside in the form of stress and burnout. Pharmadanmark has a clear responsibility to help develop working lives that take the whole person into account,” Frederik says.

“It is also important to remember that Denmark’s success in Life Science is not a given. It requires constant political focus. Here, Pharmadanmark plays a key role in holding decision-makers accountable and ensuring that Denmark remains a leading Life Science nation in the future.”

Eleonora Paulsen, vice chair of the board for private-sector employees and alternate member of the executive board

Eleonora Paulsen holds a degree in medicinal chemistry from the University of Southern Denmark and a PhD from the University of Copenhagen. She currently works as Senior Process Manager at Novo Nordisk.

“Personally, I think the medicinal chemistry program offers the ideal combination of knowledge in chemistry, pharmacy, medicine, and related fields. It prepares graduates to take on a wide range of roles and navigate interdisciplinary positions without feeling out of their depth,” Eleonora says.

“You're treated as an individual and not just one number among 100.000.”

Today, she is responsible for several core laboratory processes at Novo Nordisk. These include handling chemicals and reagents, chemical analyses, chromatography, microbiological analyses, and method validation.

Eleonora has been a member of Pharmadanmark since 2007, when the union opened its doors to members with other educational backgrounds than pharmacy.

“I really like Pharmadanmark’s profile as a trade union where you are treated as an individual and not just one number among 100.000,” she says.

“Pharmadanmark offers an excellent program of events. They provide great opportunities to network, meet new people, and gain insight into the field, career paths, and development strategies. Talking to a colleague from another company at one of these events can give your career a boost in the right direction.”

What is your role in Pharmadanmark today?

“I am vice chair of the board for private-sector employees. I am also an alternate member of the executive board. They’re very different roles with different areas of focus. Together, they help ensure that Pharmadanmark remains relevant and covers the needs of its members.”

Why do you want to volunteer for Pharmadanmark?

“Because I see increasing competitive pressure from both large and so-called ‘yellow’ trade unions, which challenge Pharmadanmark. I also think society is moving in a direction where the complexity of information makes it harder to make informed choices. We often make decisions based on a very quick check, such as price: What pays off best? With trade unions, that calculation is difficult because the value may be spread out over many years,” Eleonora says.

“You might feel secure in your job for years and be comfortable in a yellow union. Then a crisis hits, and suddenly you are without a job, without a strong network, and without proper protection. That is because yellow unions do not support networking in the same way as Pharmadanmark, and because real trade unions have been pushed to the margins in a price war.”

“It is like discount supermarkets. They are great for basic everyday needs and attractive prices. But when you want to prepare something special, you need to go to a specialist shop.”

Why is a trade union like Pharmadanmark important today?

“Because Pharmadanmark ensures good working conditions, supports career development, and gives us the opportunity to grow with the field instead of falling behind, both professionally and personally.”