As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape Medical Affairs and the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession, one question is becoming increasingly important across the industry: Can someone effectively train MSLs without ever having worked as an MSL or led an MSL team? Part of what prompted this article was the growing number of individuals on LinkedIn and other … [Read more...]
KOL, Thought Leader, or External Expert? Why the Original Term Still Dominates in Medical Affairs
Few topics in Medical Affairs generate as much recurring discussion as the terminology used to describe highly influential physicians and health care professionals (HCPs). While some organizations have attempted to move away from the term “Key Opinion Leader” (KOL) in favor of alternatives such as “Thought Leader” or “External Expert,” the term KOL remains deeply embedded … [Read more...]
2025 MSL of the Year Awards: Perspectives from Winners
The 2025 MSL of the Year Awards took place during the 13th Annual MSL Society Conference in Miami on October 13–14, 2025. The awards recognize excellence in field Medical Affairs and are open to all MSLs and MSL managers worldwide. There are eight categories, including MSL of the Year, MSL Rookie of the Year, and MSL Manager of the Year for both the USA and international … [Read more...]
Survey Reveals How Many Days per Week MSLs Engage with KOLs, and Why the Numbers Matter
One of the most frequent questions I am asked during Medical Science Liaison (MSL) training programs is how many days per week an MSL should engage with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) or other health care professionals (HCPs). Engagement may be in-person or virtual, although email communication is excluded from this article. Defining the ideal engagement frequency is challenging … [Read more...]
Is Medical Affairs About to Become Obsolete as a Result of AI?
Within the pharmaceutical industry, the Medical Affairs department serves a critical strategic function as a link between internal scientific innovation and external clinical engagement. Some of these critical functions include data dissemination, evidence generation, KOL relationship management, and insight analysis. The department has been crucial in translating science into … [Read more...]
Exploring the Value of Wilderness Medicine Training for Medical Affairs Professionals
An Interview with Dr. Richard Ingebretsen, Program Director, University of Utah School of Medicine Each summer, an exceptional program is conducted by the University of Utah School of Medicine in Chamonix, in the heart of the French Alps, an intensive two-week Wilderness Medicine and Rescue course that combines classroom instruction with field-based medical training. … [Read more...]
The Art of Asking Questions: How MSLs Can Transform KOL Conversations into Actionable Insights
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) serve as pivotal links between healthcare companies (i.e., pharma, biotech, medical device, etc.) and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), translating scientific conversations into strategic insights. Gathering actionable insights from KOLs has increasingly become a critical activity for MSLs, with many companies measuring the success of their MSL teams … [Read more...]
2024 MSL of the Year Awards: Perspectives From Winners
The 2024 MSL of the Year Awards, held during the 12th Annual MSL Society Conference in Miami (September 3-5, 2024), celebrated excellence in field Medical Affairs on a global scale. The awards are open to all MSLs and MSL Managers worldwide and recognize outstanding contributions across eight categories, including MSL of the Year, MSL Rookie of the Year, and MSL Manager of the … [Read more...]
Solutions to the 10 Most Common Challenges Gathering Insights from KOLs: A Comparison of USA and Asia MSL Teams
Introduction Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are the primary source for pharmaceutical companies to gather actionable insights from Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), which are utilized for shaping the medical strategy and improving patient outcomes. Yet, MSLs encounter numerous challenges in gathering, analyzing, and utilizing these insights effectively as the demands and … [Read more...]
Proven Strategies From Conducting Gathering Actionable Insights Training Programs with 70+ Companies: Tips for MSLs and MSL Leaders
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are vital to the success of the products they support (1). Gathering actionable insights has become critical for field Medical Affairs, and there is increasing pressure to get it right. In fact, in a 2023 global survey conducted by the Medical Science Liaison Society (MSL Society), 91% of MSLs and MSL leaders shared that “there has been … [Read more...]
MSL & MSL Leader Salary Trends: A Detailed Five-Year (2019-2023) Analysis
Introduction Transparent salary data and access to it are crucial for maintaining fair and competitive compensation practices within the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession. This article offers an unprecedented review of base salary trends with a detailed five-year analysis of salary data for MSLs and MSL leaders, utilizing data collected from annual salary surveys … [Read more...]
10 Essential Elements for MSLs to Effectively Navigate the Increased Pressure of Gathering Actionable Insights from KOLs
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are under unprecedented pressure to gather actionable insights from Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). This task has increasingly grown in importance over the last several years as pharmaceutical companies rely heavily on the nuanced expertise and perspectives that KOLs provide. These insights are vital in shaping drug development, uncovering new … [Read more...]
Elevating Medical Science Liaison Careers: Perspectives on the Long-Term Benefits of Formal Onboarding Training
Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) require comprehensive and broad onboarding training to fully prepare for their roles, yet they typically only receive training that is narrowly focused on disease state, therapeutic areas, and products they support. Crucially, this limited approach to onboarding neglects essential skills such as Key Opinion Leader (KOL) engagement, territory … [Read more...]
How Long Do MSL Hiring Managers Spend Reviewing a Resume?
Breaking into the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) profession is very competitive! Your curriculum vitae (CV)/resume is often your first and only opportunity to make a positive first impression and grab the attention of hiring managers. (“Resume” and “CV” are often used interchangeably within MSL job descriptions, but by definition, there are differences between them that … [Read more...]
NEW Medical Affairs Foundation Training Program: Opinions and Feedback From Numerous Medical Affairs Leaders
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 … [Read more...]
Global Survey Reveals How MSLs Are Maximizing KOL Engagement During Medical Conferences
Attending medical conferences is an important activity for Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs). The value of MSL and Key Opinion Leader (KOL) engagement during medical conferences is crucial to the success of a product and plays a critical role in advancing medical knowledge, fostering collaborations, driving innovation, and improving patient care. To better understand how MSLs … [Read more...]
MSL Salary and Compensation: 2022 Data from Medical Science Liaisons and MSL Management Roles in the United States
Salary and compensation benchmarking are essential factors that lead to successful recruitment and retention of MSL talent. Companies must have a clear understanding of MSL salary and compensation levels across different Therapeutic Areas/disease states to remain competitive. To gain a more accurate understanding of MSL salary and compensation levels globally, the MSL … [Read more...]
MSL Professionals Reveal the Impact of KOL Engagement
A 2021 survey revealed 49% of KOLs find scientific updates on new/existing drugs/updates as the most valuable data they acquire during engagements with MSLs (1). KOL engagement is one of the primary activities of an MSL. MSLs form lasting relationships with KOLs and other HCPs (health care providers) through these interactions. The goal of these engagements is to gather … [Read more...]