Situation and Purpose In many organizations, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used in medical affairs are inherited from commercial functions. As a result, they often emphasize activity volume, such as the number of meetings or materials produced, rather than measuring the true strategic or scientific impact of these activities. This approach limits our ability to … [Read more...]

Dear Readers, The Future of Medical Science Liaisons is in Harnessing AI and Technology for Deeper Scientific Impact! As the landscape of Medical Affairs continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace, the role of the MSL has never been more dynamic or more critical to support organizational, KOL and patient needs. This edition of The MSL Journal includes an array of amazing … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

The 13th Annual MSL Society Conference was held in Miami, Florida, from October 13–14, 2025, and included a workshop addressing career transitions for Medical Science Liaisons amid significant pharmaceutical workforce disruptions. With 128 layoff rounds reported in the first half of 2025—an increase of approximately 32 percent year over year (1)—the session provided practical … [Read more...]

Working with medical science liaisons (MSLs) across various companies, I’ve come to appreciate aspects of skill sets as we interact and work together. Let me give you some of those insights. I’m a doctor of medical science (DMSc), physical associate/assistant (PA) clinical provider. I’ve practiced in family medicine these past years, but have a special interest and focus for … [Read more...]

The digital transformation of medical affairs through artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving field with significant potential to reshape the pharmaceutical and MedTech industries. AI is moving beyond tactical use cases and becoming a crucial part of medical affairs strategy and operations. It enables medical affairs to transform its role, becoming more strategic, … [Read more...]

Introduction: The Traditional Conflicts Between Marketing and Medical Issues The pharmaceutical industry has evolved considerably in recent decades, transforming from a model focused exclusively on the research, development, and commercialization of drugs to a complex ecosystem where science and commercial strategy are forced to work together. However, this evolution has … [Read more...]

Multiple healthcare policy changes are converging to create unprecedented uncertainty for key opinion leaders and their patients. HR 1 implementation beginning January 2027, and enhanced premium subsidies for ACA marketplace plans expire at the end of 2025. The Inflation Reduction Act's drug price negotiation program continues to reshape formulary decisions and prior … [Read more...]

My journey into the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) role did not begin in the pharmaceutical industry, it began in the hospital. I spent five years working in a clinical setting, learning firsthand about patient care, the challenges of treatment, and the realities faced by both patients and healthcare providers. Those years shaped my perspective deeply; I saw where medicine could … [Read more...]

The role of the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) has evolved from being a “bridge” between R&D and the field to becoming a strategic pillar of Medical Affairs. In no area is this transformation more visible than in rare diseases. Here, where patient populations are small, awareness is low, and therapeutic options are scarce, every interaction carries disproportionate weight. … [Read more...]

Healthcare also enters an era of unprecedented digital transformation. Hence, Medical Science Liaisons face both extraordinary opportunities and complex challenges in engaging with Key Opinion Leaders. From an external medical doctor's perspective, the evolution of KOL engagement represents a fundamental shift from traditional relationship-building to AI-enhanced scientific … [Read more...]

Medical Affairs is still often confused about its role, particularly when it comes to initiatives that may result in more patients being prescribed a company’s medicines. Too many assume this is “promotion” and therefore not Medical Affairs territory. In reality, Medical Affairs is best placed to engage with the HCP community to co-develop new ways of working that improve … [Read more...]

Commercial, medical affairs, and market access are different departments that shape the strategy of pharmaceutical companies. And understanding their differences helps a lot in identifying the problems and solving them at the root. Though the rise of Artificial Intelligence technology threatens the working process among these departments with the risk of AI-replacement for some … [Read more...]

A Story of Perseverance, Success, and Growth in Medical Affairs Prologue: The Beginning of Something New It was May 7, 2018, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Seven nervous healthcare professionals stood in the lobby of a Marriott Hotel, clutching notebooks and name tags, waiting to be ushered into a three-day “Communication and Presentation Skills” course. The room buzzed … [Read more...]

Abstract Advisory boards remain a cornerstone of Medical Affairs, enabling scientific dialogue and strategic alignment between industry and external experts. When planned and executed with scientific rigor and compliance, these engagements generate actionable insights that shape evidence generation, enhance clinical decision-making, and ensure patient-centered strategies. This … [Read more...]

Abstract Background: Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) play a critical role in pharmaceutical organizations; however, performance measurement systems for MSLs are often oriented toward activity-based metrics rather than value creation. This paradigm fails to capture the strategic contribution of MSLs to patient outcomes and organizational objectives. Objective: To examine … [Read more...]

Coaching has always been treasured by the wise, and it has become an imperative for survival and growth in a highly competitive market with multiple launches and activity, yet limited connection with healthcare professionals. Lamenting the past will have no impact on sales performance and MSL teams’ ability to influence and convince clients, but adapting to a fresh approach … [Read more...]