April 2020 Supplemental Issue

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the activities of MSLs including how they engage with KOLs and other healthcare providers is quickly evolving. The MSL Society worked with its Advisory Board to create a comprehensive survey to gain insights into how the current COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the activities of Medical Science Liaisons globally including […]Continue Reading

The MSLS COVID-19 survey indicates that MSLs believe that over half of their KOLs would be very or somewhat receptive to virtual interactions. I believe some may be more receptive and curious about virtual interactions due to their familiarity and comfort level with technology. Although, I’m sure all would say meeting face to face would […]Continue Reading

For March, most of the scheduled face to face meetings are being converted to virtual interactions. Most as either done via telephone or video. However in April as HCPs are continuing to be inundated the number of engagements are down dramatically (10-25% of what they were in March). The results indicate that MSL managers may […]Continue Reading

There were numerous well thought out responses to the US Survey on what the long-term impact would be related to the current pandemic situation.  Four themes emerged from the responses and within each theme there were both concerns of positive as well as negative impact. The four themes identified were 1) adapting to alternative engagements […]Continue Reading

Overall virtual engagement time has been significantly reduced. Almost 60% of MSLs say that their time has been 75% or great reduced. Only 20% say that their time has been reduced less than 50%. This presents a huge change in how we engage our HCPs. We must think about how we can be more succinct […]Continue Reading

Opportunities to Upskill All MSLs have personal and professional growth goals.  Whether your company provides training, or you have to seek it out yourself, take the opportunity during the restricted travel for self-improvement.  Those books you wanted to read, the soft skills you needed to hone, the therapeutic area refreshers, online courses for new subjects […]Continue Reading

Yes, MSLs have been encouraged to take this time to work on interpersonal skills training, business acumen, team journal clubs, and scientific material development.  Within the business acumen umbrella, focus has turned to ensuring that MSLs have skills in leading virtual calls, contributing as a virtual team member, facing virtual meeting challenges, and improving listening […]Continue Reading

Yes, the day to day, and monthly expectations for MSL engagement and insight gathering metrics have been paused. MSLs continue to work to engage with HCPs virtually via e-mail, phone, and WebEx platforms, but the focus has shifted to support and encouragement first, rather than scientific exchange. Virtual advisory boards, HCP survey question feedback via […]Continue Reading

Distribution or sharing of peer reviewed scientific/clinical journal publications with Medical Experts is typically subject to each pharma company’s legal advisors and interpretation of guidance documents (i.e.: “Guidance for Industry Distributing Scientific and Medical Publications on Unapproved New Uses —Recommended Practices).    In the current US survey, a slight majority of MSLs and MSL managers (64%/62.7%) […]Continue Reading

The primary purpose of the MSL Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic global survey was to gain insights into how the current pandemic is impacting the activities of Medical Science Liaisons globally including working virtually and engaging with KOLs. One of the benefits from the results is to not only understand how other companies and MSL […]Continue Reading

52% of responses to the survey indicate use of ZOOM with 48% responding that they use Webex.  Both are excellent web meeting platforms! We are primarily using ZOOM for web meetings with KOLs / HCP at Biohaven and the field sales team is also using ZOOM virtual meetings.   As we made this quick adjustment […]Continue Reading

The MSL Activities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Survey has proven to be an incredible resource to many of us, as we begin to better understand the impact the pandemic has on the MSL profession, the expectations from HCP’s and ultimately the direct impact on how MSLs are quickly adopting new ways of working in this […]Continue Reading

We are continuing to support the on-going interviewing and hiring processes. We have moved to a completely virtual interview process that includes a formal presentation, question/answers around the data presented, and a series of behavioral and situational questions. This has worked well to meet the hiring needs for some groups in the pre-launch space. For […]Continue Reading

When asked how the MSL found ways to support their KOLs and HCPs, survey participants predominantly indicated that they have prioritized extending offers of support, appreciation, and compassion focused on the human aspect to their contacts and KOLs.  Participants have designated texting as an easier method of staying connected although email and varied virtual platforms […]Continue Reading

Results are totally divided between those who believe there will be permanent changes and those who do not expect changes, along with those who are not yet sure. The survey results clearly reflect the situation in which our profession is currently immersed. From my point of view, whether we like it or not, the current […]Continue Reading

The Global MSL survey has been similar in responses for the US as well with an approximate total of 90% yes and 11% no regarding timely, transparent and clear information being communicated about the impact of COVID-19 on the company.    Many of my colleagues have the same response, and I think our industry and our […]Continue Reading

The survey has shown a bit of anxiety on our job security. Like other industries, laying off people has been the norm due to the pandemic. Many are worried about losing their jobs. Globally, 46% of all MSLs surveyed are concerned about job security,  37% are not and 16% are not sure. Whereas, about 50% […]Continue Reading

An important aspect of this survey was to capture how the COVID-19 international pandemic has impacted interviewing and hiring of MSLs during an early phase (March 24-30, 2020). These survey questions captured the feedback from MSL Managers and Executives based on responses to 2 key questions: Has COVID-19 specifically reduced Interviewing for vacant MSL positions? […]Continue Reading

  In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, MSLs are embracing virtual technology to keep in touch with their KOLs. This article will review the tactics MSLs reported using to successfully obtain virtual engagements. At the time of the survey, many MSLs were converting planned face to face interactions to virtual meetings. However, MSLs were […]Continue Reading

The answer to this question depends on what type of in person meeting I had planned.  For instance, when I am seeing a KOL during the middle of a busy clinic day I am likely to get less time together – maybe 15-20 minutes!   If I had a dinner meeting planned, in all likelihood […]Continue Reading

Widespread physical distancing measures have been implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic. These measures obviously have a drastic impact on the daily life of many people around the world. Prior to any orders to shelter in place, restrictions on travel and visitation to healthcare facilities forced many MSLs to change their standard operating procedures […]Continue Reading