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Journal of the MSL Society

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Letter from the Editor

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Cherie Hyder, PharmD, MSL-BC

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 MSLs are resilient, adaptive and flexible. We embrace the challenges and take … [Read more...]

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KOLs reveal how they prefer to engage with MSLs during the COVID-19 pandemic

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Dr. Samuel Dyer, PhD and Ariel Katz

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 the pandemic. Although a recent … [Read more...]

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A Primer on Medical Science Liaison Engagement on Social Networking Systems

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Tania Gregorian, PharmD, BCACP and Kristina Kipp, PharmD

Tania Gregorian, PharmD, BCACP

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 we will be using throughout this … [Read more...]

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Branding You & Professional Networking

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Susan Malecha, PharmD, MBA

Susan Malecha

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 … [Read more...]

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From the Minds of the Innocent: Interviews with 2 MSL of the Year Award Winners

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Abagayle Evans and Chloe Chan

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. Audra: I … [Read more...]

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Future Perspectives on the MSL Role After the COVID-19 Pandemic

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Clara Serrano-Novillo, PhD

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 still be profitable or doable? After … [Read more...]

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Getting the Most of Your Membership; Resources for Every MSL

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Clara Bechtold

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 and many can be accessed … [Read more...]

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How to Focus Virtual Meetings for Medical Affairs

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Sarah Stickland

Examples of virtual meeting activities for medical affairs

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 time, … [Read more...]

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Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Field Medical Activities: The Italian Experience

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Maria Constanza Oliveros Celis, MD, PhD, Maria Carmela Filomena, PhD, Marco Gorini, Andrea Iurlaro, PhD, Jacopo Marangon, PhD, Antonio Rossello, PharmD and Laura Zappavigna, M.Sc

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 total shutdown. Most of the Northern … [Read more...]

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Job Search Checklist for Aspiring MSLs, Part 2 of 2

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Tom Caravela

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: It is very … [Read more...]

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Leading in Time of Crisis with Self Care and Optimism

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Danielle Imbeault, RN

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 reduction in face-to-face visits, MSL … [Read more...]

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Medical Affairs in South Asia

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Anand Lakhkar MD, MS, PhD

Anand Lakhkar MD, MS, PhD

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 … [Read more...]

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What is a Health Outcomes Liaison?

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Mahesh Tawney, PharmD, MS, MBA

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 … [Read more...]

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Seasoned MSL Retention

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Víctor Sastre, MS, MSL-BC and Alvaro Herrera, PhD

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...]

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Three to Succeed

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Elizabeth Kupferer, PhD, MSL-BC

Elizabeth Kupferer, PhD, MSL-BC

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 that as a remote employee, it provides … [Read more...]

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MSL Virtual Encounters in a Post-COVID Environment

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Cerise James, MD, MPH and Leona Hamrick, DHSc, MSL-BC, PA-C

Cerise James, MD, MPH

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 Dr. Cerise James, MPH presented a … [Read more...]

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Congratulations To Those That Have Recently Passed The MSL Board Certification (MSL-BC) Exam

August 6, 2020
Author(s): Dr. Samuel Dyer, PhD

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, … [Read more...]

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