PharmD Alum Goes Beyond the Beaten Path to Build a Successful Career

Kristen Flaharty, PharmD ‘87, has spent her decades-long career challenging the notion that pharmacists only work in community pharmacies and clinical settings. An educator, consultant and entrepreneur, Dr. Flaharty’s message to PharmD students is clear. “Don’t limit yourself to anything.”

It’s that philosophy and her strong scientific and pharmaceutical background that helped her build Trilogy Laboratories, her cosmetic empire focused on skincare products for physicians, estheticians and beauty brands.

This brand wasn’t built overnight, though. In fact, a career in and the pharmaceutical industry came first – helping her build the necessary skills to be the entrepreneur she is today. 

Building Her Skillset

Following her graduation from the U-M College of Pharmacy, Dr. Kristen Flaharty and her husband, Dr. Patrick Flaharty, a plastic surgeon, swapped out Ann Arbor for Philidelphia – both pursuing residencies in the area. 

Loving her time on the floor at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Kristen was ready to scratch the surface of another soon-to-be passion: research. Following the completion of her residency, she began a research fellowship at Jefferson Medical College.

“That was my first real exposure to industry and clinical research,” Flaharty explained. “We performed many studies on pharmacokinetics which was right up my alley as a trained pharmacist.”

She used the knowledge she gained in pharmacokinetic data sets and analysis to then work for a large pharmaceutical company in the area – under the leadership of a former U-M College of Pharmacy professor who recruited her to the job. There, she built on her skillset learning the drug approval process – a knowledge base she would use for years to come. 

When her husband secured a fellowship in Utah, Dr. Flaharty continued her research at the University of Utah as an Assistant Professor.

“I was able to continue doing pharmacokinetic research in the bone marrow transplant unit there,” Flaharty explained. “That type of research was at the forefront at that time.”

The Move to Consulting

When their time in Utah wrapped up, the two were ready to find their forever home. They settled in sunny Florida. After a short stint as a clinical specialist at a hospital, Dr. Flaharty met a retired Deputy Division Director from the FDA who consulted pharmaceutical companies on successful drug approval. She knew this was the perfect next step for her, and took over his consulting business for two decades.

“When I found this opportunity, I was thrilled because it put everything that I loved in one place: The ability to make a difference by bringing medications to the worldwide community – and doing it with the research in mind.” 

Her consulting work helped deliver more than 20 drugs to market – including the popular Tagamet OTC heartburn medication. 

It was the flexibility to work remotely, supervise her own work and be creative that kept Dr. Flaharty invested in this type of work. 

“I was able to work from home before working from home was a thing. It was a great career path, and I’m forever grateful for it.”

Building a Business

After twenty successful years of consulting, Dr. Flaharty was ready for a change.

“I would get this voice in my head where I wasn’t sure if I wanted to consult anymore. I realized if I could help bring more than 20 drugs to the market, I could start my own thing and create what I wanted to create.”

For years, Dr. Kristen worked with her husband Dr. Patrick on sourcing skincare products for his plastic surgery practice. Using her pharmacy lens, she was not impressed with the active ingredients and presentations of most of the products on the market, she was ready to listen to that voice in her head and take matters into her own hands. 

She put together a business plan and set her sights on purchasing the assets of one of the vendors. With that, Trilogy Laboratories was born, and her line of high-quality medical-grade skincare products for physicians, estheticians and beauty brands was established. 

Ready to lean into her pharmaceutical knowledge, she began working with a chemist to completely rework the ingredients of the products to generate the best results. 

“I spent several years taking the formulas from the asset purchase and redoing them. As a pharmacist, I understand the concentrations of the active ingredients that you need. It’s like medication compounding – if you put too little of an ingredient, it’s not going to work. If you give too much, it’s toxic. I used that pharmacy mentality to the toxicology of my cosmetics.” 

Her cosmetic business was booming, and even when the pandemic hit, she saw the situation as an opportunity instead of a roadblock. 

“We began developing a mask to keep hands moisturized after consistent hand washing and a product for acne caused by face masks.”

It’s that adaptable mindset and can-do spirit that helps her tackle any challenge.

“After years of consulting and tackling roadblocks, the idea of running a business didn’t scare me. It was an opportunity to be creative, have control and make your own destiny. My business has hit the 10 year anniversary mark and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes next.” 

Leaning on Family

Dr. Flaharty says, above all, being a positive role model for her three daughters makes every sacrifice and challenge worth it.

“As they grew up, they saw me working, they saw me fulfilled by my job and I hope they saw me as a motivator to pursue their own dreams.”

She credits her husband for much of her success, as well – her partner in all accolades.

“I’ve had people offer to be my business partner, and Patrick has had people make similar offers with his practice, but we just have one partner and that’s each other. We’ve built our businesses together. We rely on each other.”

Sharing Wisdom

Both U-M alum, Dr. Kristen and Dr. Patrick share that “Go blue!” spirit everywhere they go. Dr. Kristen will bring that spirit to the stage of PharmD Commencement as the keynote speaker – something she considers a great honor.

“I have kids who are a part of this generation of PharmD graduates so I feel like I know them and I know what they’re facing today.” 

And as she prepares for her address, she hopes to share some wisdom with them as they embark on their next steps. 

“I hope to impart to them that it’s okay to do hard things and think outside of the box because it makes you grow. Be creative and take risks because it will work out in the end. Making a decision about your future is hardly ever a bad choice.”