Hello MSL Journal Readers! Welcome to another journal edition, hot off the press and ready for your reading enjoyment! We begin 2024 with a sense of renewal, leaning into changes in our medical affairs industry and knowing how vital it is to show up each day, delivering value to support enhancing patient care and outcomes. Writing this letter to all of you on Leap Day – … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

Hybrid communication is here to stay and in person meetings as well as virtual meetings are part of the MSL world. This is for good reason, as it allows for the use of the best channel depending upon time available, personal preference and the content of what is to be discussed. As an MSL team lead you can also build on all available channels when communicating with your team. … [Read more...]

MSLs are emerging as the principal players in pharma’s post-Covid recalibration but they need to be equipped and coached in the skills to take their scientific knowledge and expertise to next level productivity Introduction Medical Science Liaison (MSL) teams and medical affairs are critical to industry success but the seismic shifts of the pandemic have propelled them … [Read more...]

As medical affairs gains insight into patient and healthcare professionals' needs, teams are challenged with how to turn these insights into actions across the product lifecycle from development to commercialization. By thinking beyond medical to include the priorities of the internal data consumers – such as R&D, market access, and commercial teams – medical affairs can … [Read more...]

In the competitive field of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs), it is crucial to differentiate yourself to stand out and excel in your career. This article will provide valuable insights and strategies on how to set yourself apart from the competition as an MSL I have interviewed many MSLs throughout Europe and a few in the USA, and observed many working MSLs in action; there … [Read more...]

A customer journey map is a very simple idea: a diagram that illustrates the steps your customer goes through in engaging with your company, whether it be a product, an online experience, a retail experience, or a service, or any combination. The concept of customer journey mapping comes from the business world with respect to a better understanding how customers interact with … [Read more...]

As widely described in several reports, from time to time Field Medical members face ‘new challenges’ to be handled that could be considered a kind of back to the basics or, as already named – ‘bottom line’ activities. Recent publications have been describing the expected shifts in terms of Medical Affairs activities, related to Field Medical topics, in the upcoming two … [Read more...]

It is a pleasure to meet you! – First interaction A physician is a human being, and behind every human, there is a different world, there is a story; therefore, when the MSL initiates communication with a KOL, they enter their story. The idea is to proceed steadily, but with rhythm and confidence, yet with reservation. Therefore, my first suggestion is to meet in the … [Read more...]

The Field Based Medical (FBM) role was first established in 1967 by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals1-3. This role is considered scientifically trained personnel who are oriented to build long term relationships with key opinion leaders. This important role has existed for around 55 years and continues to evolve according to the changes in the healthcare environment. FBM engagement … [Read more...]

The impactful role MSLs play in maximizing new innovation for patients Launching innovative therapies in the competitive biopharma space is increasingly challenging. Launch Excellence research by IQVIA highlights the three key challenges to achieving launch success are healthcare system capacity gaps, achieving timely and compelling evidence and HCP engagement1. Each of … [Read more...]

Introduction Medical Science Liaisons typically need to prepare and deliver a presentation on a clinical article as part of the interview process for new roles. When seeking new opportunities, it might be necessary to prepare several such presentations for different companies over a short period during an active job search. Commonly, one may have a week or less to prepare … [Read more...]

As MSLs and MSL leaders in the field of Medical Science Liaison, we understand the critical importance of empathy in our roles. Empathy is not just a soft skill; it's a fundamental aspect of effective leadership and relationship-building. It involves the ability to understand and resonate with the emotions, perspectives, and experiences of others. Unlike sympathy, which may … [Read more...]

Lindsay Stautzenberger, PharmD, MBA, Senior Medical Science Liaison, Sanofi* *The views expressed in this article belong to me, the author, and not my employer or affiliates. As far back as I can remember, the dichotomy between the "practical/productive" and the "creative mind" has been a longstanding internal conflict. Despite identifying as a creative with a passion … [Read more...]