August 2020 Issue

Welcome to the Virtual Work World! No need to grab a coat or briefcase and head out the door! As all of us have experienced over recent months, we have been abruptly thrust into a foreign environment that removes us from personal contact, routines and daily structure. One thing we can count on is that […]Continue Reading

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on the activities of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) including access to Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and how they engage with them 1. The Medical Science Liaison Society (MSL Society) has conducted several recent surveys to understand this impact and what the activities of MSLs have been during […]Continue Reading

Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn have become a growing topic of discussion in healthcare today. The topic is in its infancy, the literature hasn’t settled on a name for the group of platforms, with various articles using Social Media (SoMe), Online Social Networks (OSN) or Social Network Sites (SNSs), the latter of which […]Continue Reading

Connections and new partnerships through the power of networking are the key to business opportunities. Further, if you are a field medical professional, the importance of constantly expanding your professional circle cannot be minimized. Small, intimate networking events, such as professional supper clubs or mentoring circles, are amazing ways to meet others who might be […]Continue Reading

The way health care is delivered has changed overnight for millions of people, but the health needs have remained the same. The possibilities for telemedicine and virtual visits have multiplied at lightning speed to continue to meet these needs. In a context where offices and clinics are no longer used regularly, and with a drastic […]Continue Reading

Interview with Audra J Johnson, Ph.D, Associate Director, Medical Science Liaison, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals (2019 MSL Rookie of the Year US) By Abagayle (Abby) Evans, the eight year old daughter of Alyson Evans, MSL, Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. She is in second grade and loves gymnastics, art, and math. Abby: What is your day job, title and responsibilities. […]Continue Reading

Let’s begin at the ending: there must be optimism about the changes for the MSL role after the pandemic. By looking at the world in these present moments, there is uncertainty about how jobs will be affected. Will there be restructuring in the company organization? Are selection processes being paused or cancelled? Will my position […]Continue Reading

The MSLS has created a unique list of resources and tools available to members and non-members to aid in industry awareness, global connections, and professional development for MSLs. The following article briefly highlights the offerings of a few important resources located on the MSLS website. All of the mentioned resources are viewable to the public […]Continue Reading

The coronavirus has created one of the most challenging environments the world has ever experienced. It has also generated an increasing demand for virtual online meetings by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in medical affairs. Various other industry challenges are also driving this rising HCP need. These include the changing demographics of HCPs, more demands on their […]Continue Reading

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first confirmed to have spread in Italy on January 31, 2020. By the end of February the virus started its exponential growth from the Lombardy region. As of today, we have had 231,139 total cases, 33,072 deaths and 147,101 recovered [1]. Since March 8, the country has been in a […]Continue Reading

Breaking into industry with your first MSL role requires a tremendous amount of effort and persistence. More importantly, it requires patience. Stay positive and focused. This article is a continuation of your guide based on my experience, opinions, and best practices for positioning you as an attractive candidate for a MSL career. Network, Network, Network: […]Continue Reading

The Asia Pacific Region is fast emerging as a major hub for the pharmaceutical industry. This region includes the developed APAC (Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea), South-East Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Phillipines and Vietnam), China and South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri lanka, Maldives). The requirements of Health Care Providers […]Continue Reading

It’s been 53 years since the term “MSL” was introduced to the pharmaceutical industry. Upjohn Pharmaceuticals recognized that sales representatives with a high scientific acumen had significantly longer face time with doctors, resulting in higher sales numbers than those representatives who were “non-science” trained. Upjohn trademarked the term “MSL” and defined the function as those […]Continue Reading

A “seasoned” MSL can be described as one who has changed companies several times due to professional or personal reasons, who has at least 7 years of MSL experience, who is very familiar with the art of being an MSL, who has a solid knowledge of the therapeutic area or disease state they support, and […]Continue Reading

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) has become an integral member throughout a product’s lifecycle in the Pharma, Device and Diagnostic Industries. As a new MSL, it is exciting to get started and navigate through the complexities of the new role. The MSL career offers so many benefits and opportunities. For some, one major benefit is […]Continue Reading

Since COVID-19 entered our lives, we have all been faced with uncertainty. COVID-19 has challenged us to be better community stakeholders and more creative about how we do business. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) teams have been forced to consider new and creative ways to connect with their customers. In 2018 Dr. Leona Hamrick, MSL-BC and […]Continue Reading

The following individuals have recently passed the exam and earned the MSL-BC® Credential: Montora Mayes, RN, BSN, MSN, MHA, MSL-BC MSL Romark, L.C. David Queen, APRN, FNP-C, AE-C, MSL-BC Clinical Science Liaison AstraZeneca Gabriela Dontu, MD, PhD, MSL-BC MSL ASTROTIDE, INC. Chuck Sherline, BS, MBA, MSL-BC MSL Kristie Wallace, RPh, CPh, PharmD, MSL-BC MSL AbbVie […]Continue Reading