Lessons from the Best MSLs Around the Globe As a member of the judging panel for the Medical Science Liaison Society (MSLS) Awards, I had the opportunity to thoroughly review and evaluate the submissions from candidates aspiring to be recognized among the best MSLs worldwide. Based on this experience, the present document analyzes a series of testimonies and perspectives … [Read more...]
From Closing Deals to Closing Knowledge Gaps: Transitioning from Sales to MSL
Introduction and objectives The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical industry, offering professionals a dynamic opportunity to contribute to scientific development while fostering strong collaborations with healthcare practitioners. As the demand for MSLs continues to grow, understanding the pathways that lead … [Read more...]
Beyond the Brand: How Marketing Professionals Transition into the MSL Role
Introduction and objectives The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role has emerged as a sought-after career path in the pharmaceutical industry, attracting professionals from diverse backgrounds who seek continuous learning and aspire to contribute actively to scientific and medical progress. The MSL role is a profession with a significant impact on the pharmaceutical … [Read more...]
Guide to Accessing the Medical Department: Junior MSL Profile
Introduction The pharmaceutical industry is a dynamic and constantly evolving sector, where science and innovation come together to improve people's health and quality of life. Different professional profiles work hand in hand, as a perfect gear, to achieve these common goals. In this complex ecosystem, the medical department is a fundamental pillar, providing scientific … [Read more...]
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Future of Medical Affairs: Insights and Perspectives
INTRODUCTION The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) and Medical Advisors (MAs) in their daily activities. However, the awareness, understanding, and perceptions of these advanced technologies in these roles … [Read more...]
The MSL Role in The Post-Pandemic Scenario: Lessons Learned and Future Prospects
The COVID19 pandemic has impacted the MSL role and how they interact with KOLs. However, even in this dire situation, 53% of KOLs still consider face-to-face engagement with MSLs very important. Therefore, it is vital to effectively promote this engagement in an adapted way. The MSLs and the KOLs have to adapt to this novel situation, where face-to-face meetings are not always … [Read more...]
Virtual relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs): Insights from the COVID-19 scenario
The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a 180 degrees’ flip in the way professional relationships are approached between the Pharma industry and HCPs. Consequently, the MSL role has inevitably been impacted by this change of scenario, which has challenged the capacity of self-transformation and adaptation of the ones occupying this position. Especially, the relationships with … [Read more...]
The revaluation of email in times of COVID-19: KOL engagement and KPI
As a result of the new situation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, KOL engagement has been limited at certain times. This has not only translated into less interaction between MSLs and KOLs/HCPs but also the approach to this interaction has had to be carried out in a virtual way, taking advantage of all possible resources (e-mail, video calls, telephone calls, WhatsApp, SMS). … [Read more...]
Seasoned MSL Retention
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 is looking for new challenges. However, the first question we ask ourselves … [Read more...]
Do you think there will be any permanent long-term impact or changes to the MSL profession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic?
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 restrictions are going to have an impact on our day to … [Read more...]
MSL and CRA: A Responsibility Model for the Efficiency of Clinical Research and Clinical Trials
The pharmaceutical industry has been evolving and changing along the years, as has the way in which clinical trials are planned and executed. Clinical Development went from a fully inhouse clinical trials handling model, where each company had its own team of clinical operations to execute those trials, to a completely outsourced model where none of the members of the team were … [Read more...]