In the dynamic and complex landscape of healthcare delivery, Medical Affairs professionals play a vital role in bridging the gap between scientific innovation, regulatory compliance, KOL engagement, and patient care. As Medical Affairs continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly important for professionals to have a strong foundation of training that includes the necessary knowledge and skills to continually add value.
However, the onboarding and training process for new hires in Medical Affairs, including Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), can pose significant challenges in terms of stress, time commitment, and financial investment. Unfortunately, numerous companies struggle with limited internal resources and insufficient time to provide comprehensive onboarding for MSLs. Interestingly, a global study conducted by the MSL Society revealed that 72% of MSLs worldwide reported receiving only a set of journal articles related to the product or disease state they support as their initial onboarding training. This finding emphasizes the need for companies to prioritize robust onboarding programs to ensure the success and effectiveness of their MSL and Medical Affairs teams.
Recognizing the existing gap, the MSL Society diligently worked with numerous influential MSL leaders from their Advisory Board and other global Medical Affairs leaders for several years to address the challenge. Collectively, they developed a comprehensive training program known as the Medical Affairs Foundation Training Program, aimed at fulfilling the foundational training needs of newly hired MSLs and others working in various functions within Medical Affairs.
Delivered through a self-paced eLearning format, the Medical Affairs Foundation Training Program offers over 40 hours of virtual training. This extensive program is covered across 16 courses that cover all the essential knowledge required for establishing a robust foundation in Medical Affairs.
The Medical Affairs foundation training provides fundamental skills for professionals to develop a comprehensive understanding of the core knowledge and functions within Medical Affairs. This foundation enables Medical Affairs professionals to critically evaluate scientific data, communicate complex medical information effectively with KOLs and other HCPs, and navigate the regulatory landscape with confidence and accuracy. By equipping professionals with a strong foundation, the training program provides the groundwork for continued growth and development throughout their careers in Medical Affairs.
To ensure the quality and effectiveness of the training program, we asked several MSL/Medical Affairs leaders to review and provide feedback on the content of various courses. The following is their feedback.
Why is foundational training important for medical affairs professionals?
Medical affairs professionals these days come from a variety of backgrounds- including pharmacy, clinical practice, academic bench research, consulting, and even scientific vendor services. Due to the variety of backgrounds, it is important for new, and even aspiring MSLs, to enroll in a medical affairs foundational training program so that they are prepared for the work to come. As leaders, we also want to ensure that we have provided all the necessary foundational training to set our MSLs up for success.
Douglas Yau, PhD, MBA
Senior Director, Oncology Medical Affairs
Sanofi
This foundational training program offers multiple elements from each module that, regardless of experience, will add to your knowledge base. It is incredibly and extensively thorough and provides a comprehensive aspect for each topic.
Rita Zambelas, MSN, MSL-BC
Senior Consultant
Acer Therapeutics, Inc.
It enhances their competencies, adds to their skills and gives them additional confidence for their role.
Jihad (JR) Rizkallah, MD, MSL-BC
Retired Experienced MSL Leader
Was any of the information in the training program new to you?
I was able to review and audit two of the training modules prior to the launch of this program. Being a bench scientist by training, I really wish that these programs were available when I started my MSL career 10+ years ago. As I didn’t come from a clinical or drug development background, the two modules that I reviewed: “US Hospital systems” and “Drug Development” would have been perfect to lay down my foundation to understand how drugs developed from pipeline to launch and the differences in the HCPs that I engaged with at the different hospital systems in the US. The majority of the information that was taught in the e-module I had to learn on my own when I became an MSL, and these modules had just the right amount of content.
Douglas Yau, PhD, MBA
Senior Director, Oncology Medical Affairs
Sanofi
As stated previously I learned additional components from each module that I reviewed.
Rita Zambelas, MSN, MSL-BC
Senior Consultant
Acer Therapeutics, Inc.
I was familiar with the majority of the content, but I found that it is never too late to get a refresher and any new updates that may be relevant to my role.
Jihad (JR) Rizkallah, MD, MSL-BC
Retired Experienced MSL Leader
What are the primary benefits for individuals who enroll in the program?
For MSLs who enroll in this program, they will benefit from a wide range of content that would serve as an outstanding foundation as they begin their MSL career. Almost all topics that one can think to ask in medical affairs is in one place presented in an easy to learn format.
Douglas Yau, PhD, MBA
Senior Director, Oncology Medical Affairs
Sanofi
The primary benefit from this program is to provide the participant to know what he/she knows and is strong in but also what they don’t know and need to learn more about. Particularly because it’s hard to know what you don’t know until you are exposed to it. These training modules approach each topic in segments to enable such self discovery.
Rita Zambelas, MSN, MSL-BC
Senior Consultant
Acer Therapeutics, Inc.
Improve competencies in the role, gain additional skills, be better prepared for new opportunities and get advantage over the competition.
Jihad (JR) Rizkallah, MD, MSL-BC
Retired Experienced MSL Leader
How will this program benefit companies if they enroll their medical affairs staff in this program?
For companies that do not have a robust learning management system or extensive onboarding program, team leaders should review the medical affairs foundational program and consider it as a substitute or complement to what they are offering their new hires. Even mid-career MSLs may not have been trained to the depth of what is offered in this program and may benefit from taking select modules individually.
Douglas Yau, PhD, MBA
Senior Director, Oncology Medical Affairs
Sanofi
This program offers companies an assurance that their Medical Affairs employees will be very informed on multiple levels (compliance, regulatory, as well as industry standards).
Rita Zambelas, MSN, MSL-BC
Senior Consultant
Acer Therapeutics, Inc.
I feel it will improve confidence in self, in the role, and in the knowledge. Their staff will be better equipped with what they need to be successful and to bring additional value to their stakeholders.
Jihad (JR) Rizkallah, MD, MSL-BC
Retired Experienced MSL Leader
Lastly, do you have any advice for MSL professionals looking to excel in their career?
My advice to MSL professionals looking to excel in their careers is to never stop learning. Ask Sr MSLs, regional directors, and VP’s that you admire, and what they did to prepare themselves for success in their current role. Ask them about projects they did, roles they took, and training that they did as part of their development plan that helped them succeed. And most of all, be proactive with your own development. Your drive, enthusiasm, and grit is what will get you to whatever goal you want to reach within medical affairs.
Douglas Yau, PhD, MBA
Senior Director, Oncology Medical Affairs
Sanofi
I believe the knowledge and references provided by this program will provide a sound foundation for MSLs to successfully advance in their careers.
Rita Zambelas, MSN, MSL-BC
Senior Consultant
Acer Therapeutics, Inc.
Become a member in society and network with other MSLs, share your expertise and participate in the mentorship program, be visible, be productive, and be a leader. Your next dream career job can be there waiting for you.
Jihad (JR) Rizkallah, MD, MSL-BC
Retired Experienced MSL Leader
About the author:
Samuel Dyer, MD, PhD
Dr. Samuel Dyer is the CEO of the Medical Science Liaison Society and has over 25 years of international MSL experience. During his career, he has managed MSL teams and operations in over sixty countries across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand. He has facilitated the successful launch of pharmaceutical and medical device products for both Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies and small biotechnology companies.
Dr. Dyer has coached, interviewed, and reviewed the CVs of countless aspiring MSLs. His insights and guidance have resulted in hundreds of aspiring MSLs successfully breaking into their first roles.
While leading the MSL Society, he has conducted MSL training programs for over 75 pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies in more than 15 countries. Dr. Dyer has also written extensively on the Medical Science Liaison profession, including numerous published articles, benchmark studies, and reports. He has been the keynote speaker and moderated numerous international conferences on various MSL–related topics, including creating teams, management, MSL training, proper utilization of MSLs, global trends, and the KPIs and metrics used to measure MSL performance. Dr. Dyer has also served as a resource and consultant on several MSL–related projects for several organizations, including McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company.
Dr. Dyer has an MD from Washington University (Health & Science) School of Medicine, a PhD in Health Sciences from Touro University, a Master’s degree in Tropical Biology (where he studied in the Amazon) from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the State of New York. Dr. Dyer also completed a certificate program for Executive Leadership and Strategy in Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology at the Harvard Business School.
Dr. Dyer is the author of the multi-award-winning and Amazon #1 Best Seller, The Medical Science Liaison Career Guide: How to Break into Your First Role (https://amzn.to/4aoYcZp). The book is the first and only step-by-step guide on how to break into the MSL profession and it has received multiple prestigious awards, including:
- 2024 Winner of the American Legacy Book Awards in the Business: Careers category.
- 2024 “Gold Award” Winner – Literary Titan Book Awards in the Career category.
- 2023 “Best Book” Winner – Pinnacle Book Achievement Award in the Career Development category.
He is also the author of the Medical Science Liaison Job Application Tracking & Interview Self-Evaluation Journal (https://amzn.to/49n6MGR).
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