How does your health technology (e.g., drug, vaccine, device, diagnostic) compare to competing alternatives in the same therapeutic area? Is it considered cost-effective? Cost-effectiveness focuses on maximizing health benefits for a given budget. It does not simply indicate the least expensive or the most effective alternative. There are 5 common scenarios where a health … [Read more...]

Digital maturity is essential for scientific engagement amid more complex therapies and spheres of influence. Nearly six in 10 life sciences products hitting the market are in specialty or rare disease categories.1 As scientific complexity grows, healthcare professionals (HCPs) and key opinion leaders (KOLs) seek science-based education via webinars, virtual medical … [Read more...]

My journey as a Medical Science Liaison began about a year ago. To give you a little background of how I transitioned into this field, let me share with you my own personal story. I want to begin by saying that I have a unique journey, and I always believe that every step we take in our life is meant to get us to wherever the next step will be. Sometimes it’s hard to see … [Read more...]

“Promotability” may be defined as one’s suitability for being promoted. Is it your goal to obtain a promotion this year? If so, how suitable or promotable are you for that next step? Job-seekers and professionals often ask me what steps are necessary for advancement. I have broken my advice down to the always popular “Top 10” List. However, there is one VERY important concept … [Read more...]

The MSL role has become more strategic as the frontline agent for KOL engagement.  KOL expectations have also increased in terms of what they are looking for from biopharma partnerships.  The trend toward personalized engagement has accelerated significantly due to rapid digital transformation and hybrid engagement advancements in recent years across life science companies.   … [Read more...]

As the efforts of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) are becoming increasingly prevalent, it has become pivotal to understand the strategic importance of Medical Affairs within the industry. With access to healthcare professionals (HCPs) and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) severely curtailed during the pandemic, the expectation is that the limited time the KOL provides will be used for … [Read more...]

A lot has been written about the evolving role of (Field) Medical Affairs and the imperative to measure and benchmark Medical activities as a result of the increasing importance, visibility, and allocated budgets. One of the possible KPIs that often comes up in the discussion is Scientific Share of Voice (SSoV) which basically means comparing (primarily) publications in … [Read more...]

Introduction  With a staggering growth rate since the onset of COVID-19, telemedicine has emerged as a primary method for HCP-to-patient interaction.[1] According to Allied Market Research, the Telemedicine Market generated $40.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to generate $431.82 billion by 2030 with an estimated 25.9% from 2021 to 2030.[2] While many larger clinics and … [Read more...]

New Year, Same Pandemic. As the new year rolls in, I am struck by how much the pandemic has taken from us:  face-to-face meetings, ability to travel, and work-life balance. On the other hand, it has taught us to be resilient, adaptive, and grateful for what we have. In addition, the pandemic has allowed me to hit the “pause” button and learn how to garden. The Stoic … [Read more...]

The Medical Plan is a periodic, usually annual, consolidated document detailing the Medical Affairs activities to be undertaken and/or funded for a licensed product.  Medical Affairs (MA) demonstrates leadership and value through this strategic planning process that aligns all Medical Affairs competencies needed to support the product and organization.  The MA team navigates … [Read more...]

The MSL, as other field-based roles in the pharmaceutical industry, is one of those on which the COVID-19 pandemic had the strongest impact. The past 24 months have shown us what is required and possible in terms of adaptation. Not only in relation to the role, but also for the individual MSL. That makes it even more important moving forward that every MSL receives as much … [Read more...]

The doctrine of informed consent can be little understood and followed in international clinical trials, therefore necessitating an examination of ethical and other dimensions. Arguably, informed consent provides the foundational basis for all clinical research, and also represents the right of every individual to have control and make a personal decision to accept being a … [Read more...]

Since a few years ago, the presence of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), have been gaining strength within the pharmaceutical industry. The position has been assumed by healthcare professionals (nurses, chemists, biologists, biochemists, physicians, obstetricians) who reinforce their careers with postgraduate studies in the areas related to the position for example epidemiology … [Read more...]

Medical Science Liaisons fuse research and value. They are not only scientific experts but true relationship experts. MSLs are health care professional experts with deep knowledge. They develop peer relationships with cutting-edge scientific key opinion leaders (KOLs) in various fields of medicine. Knowledge and relationships enable MSLs to translate complex scientific … [Read more...]

On 28 June 2021, the Omnibus Act was published in the Official Gazette of Hungary, which amended the promotional provisions of the Medicines Thrift Act, on the General Provisions Relating to the Reliable and Economically Feasible Supply of Medicinal Products and Medical Aids and on the Distribution of Medicinal Products. The provisions of the Omnibus Act concerning … [Read more...]

Speaker programs undeniably represent the highest risk marketing practice in the industry, with a focus on paying HCPs who often prescribe a product to promote products to other clinicians.  The US OIG (Office of Inspector General) has increased scrutiny of speaker programs in the recent few years, culminating in an SFA (Special Fraud Alert) released in November 2021, as well … [Read more...]

Breaking into the MSL role is a challenging yet fulfilling journey.  As such, an MSL’s unique place in the medical industry comes with a rich set of incomparable experiences and stories of personal growth.  In this article, we look into the various insights of esteemed MSLs as they share with us their milestones, best practices, and challenges, and what career advice they would … [Read more...]

Since embarking on my MSL career in 2019, I have chronicled much of my journey as an MSL in a variety of articles in this journal. As I reflected on my earlier writings, I realized that I have focused on what I have done but not what I plan to do. As I look with pride at what I have accomplished, I am excited about what I hope to accomplish in the future and how I plan to … [Read more...]