Medical science liaisons have become invaluable assets within the pharmaceutical space. They help to close the gap between life sciences companies and the greater medical community. But what exactly is a medical science liaison, and what is their purpose within medical affairs?
The answer is simple: Medical science liaisons (MSLs) are key players in the success of medical affairs teams and companies across the industry.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the roles, backgrounds, and responsibilities of medical science liaisons, as well as their importance for pharma companies. We’ll also explore their importance in advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes.
Who Are Medical Science Liaisons?
A medical science liaison (MSL) is a specialized professional working in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. They’re considered scientifically trained field staff, as they focus on engaging with influential healthcare professionals (HCPs).
A medical science liaison provides HCPs with scientific information about products or treatments. One of their main responsibilities is to build and maintain peer-to-peer relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs) in specific therapeutic areas like cardiology or oncology. This allows them to benefit the wider medical community and their company.
Their relationships with HCPs and KOLs are essential for facilitating meaningful exchanges of scientific knowledge and insights. MSLs gather valuable feedback on specific products and research, which helps inform clinical strategies and improve patient outcomes.
Essentially, medical science liaisons act as a link between pharmaceutical companies and the medical community. They do this by ensuring that HCPs receive the latest scientific insights and support.
A Brief History Of MSLs
The medical science liaison role was introduced by Upjohn Pharmaceuticals in 1967. Upjohn needed scientifically trained field experts who could build professional relationships with leading doctors and researchers (KOLs) to help bridge the gap between medical experts and the company’s scientific developments.
Since then, the role has evolved significantly. Medical science liaisons have become essential in the pharmaceutical industry and provide scientific support at every stage of the product life cycle. They play a critical role in early clinical research, help bring new therapies to market, and ensure these products are used safely.
The Educational And Professional Backgrounds Of MSLs
Medical science liaisons are typically required to have advanced scientific degrees, such as a PhD, PharmD, or MD. This ensures they have the depth of medical knowledge needed to engage with healthcare providers. Additionally, these qualifications help medical science liaisons to effectively discuss complex scientific data and clinical insights.
Historically, large pharmaceutical companies that wanted to employ medical science liaisons would hire candidates from various scientific backgrounds. This may have included science or general sales roles. However, industry standards have begun to change.
Now, even qualified MSL candidates need to go through medical science liaison programs within their company to be well-equipped and confident when they’re in the field.
It’s important to remember that most MSLs have doctoral degrees or doctorate-level qualifications. This is because medical science liaisons with advanced scientific training help support their company’s products with more credibility. It also leads to more meaningful and, therefore, more impactful relationships with key opinion leaders.
Key Responsibilities Of A MSL
Medical science liaisons have several important responsibilities to strengthen the relationship between the medical community and pharmaceutical companies. These responsibilities not only improve patient care but also help to advance medical knowledge within the industry.
The most common responsibilities of a medical science liaison include:
- Engaging with key opinion leaders: A medical science liaison needs to develop and maintain strategic relationships with influential healthcare providers. This helps foster scientific exchange.
- Gathering field insights: Medical science liaisons should be able to collect insights from KOLs and HCPs to improve internal strategies and product development.
- Supporting research initiatives: MSLs help facilitate Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) and support other research efforts by coordinating certain resources.
- Contributing to scientific publications: A medical science liaison may contribute to the creation of scientific publications and presentations at conferences.
- Providing medical education: MSLs share clinical information with HCPs to ensure that products are prescribed and used safely and effectively.
- Attending medical conferences: A medical science liaison represents their company by attending industry events like medical conferences. Here, they can engage with KOLs and gather insights on new or evolving trends within the industry.
- Participating in advisory boards: MSLs provide expertise in advisory board meetings. They can contribute to strategic discussions and exchange important knowledge.
- Training internal colleagues: Medical science liaisons can educate sales, marketing, and other internal teams on the scientific aspects of products, therapies, and relevant research.
MSL Excellence: What It Means
MSL Excellence has become a high priority in medical affairs as more companies start to recognize that improving their medical science liaison teams requires more than just operational support. For some, it’s a matter of coordinating processes and systems. For others, it’s an entire strategy for building stronger and more effective MSL systems and teams.
The foundation of MSL Excellence is creating the right environment for MSLs to succeed. It should be an approach that brings together the team’s skills, workflows, and tools to boost their impact on the medical community and patient outcomes.
To achieve this goal, pharmaceutical companies are formalizing their commitment to MSL development. This includes investing in specialized roles and defining clear strategies to ensure proper alignment with their overall medical objectives.
Ultimately, MSL Excellence isn’t a checklist. Rather, it’s a focused effort to keep your field teams adaptable and effective when they’re pushing the goals of your organization forward.
With careful consideration of their field capabilities and strategic priorities, your MSLs can maximize their impact as trusted medical partners. This will also help them contribute to healthcare progress in more meaningful ways.
FAQs
Is an MSL a drug rep?
No, a medical science liaison is not the same as a drug representative. Although both roles are important within the pharmaceutical industry, they have different functions.
Unlike medical science liaisons, a drug or sales representative is responsible for promoting and selling pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals. Their focus is mainly on driving sales, while medical science liaisons focus on scientific exchanges with experts and support for clinical research.
What is the difference between a medical advisor and a medical science liaison?
The difference between a medical advisor and a medical science liaison is in their roles and responsibilities.
- Medical advisors typically work with companies to provide more strategic input on medical strategies, clinical trials, and regulatory affairs. They may also be involved in internal training.
- Medical science liaisons are field-based professionals who interact directly with healthcare providers and key opinion leaders. Their role is to share scientific information and gather insights from these leading physicians.
What is the difference between medical affairs and clinical affairs?
Medical and clinical affairs are two different (but related) areas in the pharmaceutical industry. Medical affairs are more about sharing information with HCPs and ensuring that the company’s medical strategy aligns with the messages it conveys. Generally, the medical science liaison role and medical advisors fall under this category.
In contrast, clinical affairs focuses on planning and managing clinical trials to evaluate how safe and effective a product is. Therefore, clinical affairs deals with pharmaceutical products before they hit the market.
Final Thoughts
Medical science liaisons are the cornerstone of the pharma industry, since they support both scientific advancement and patient outcomes. This is all done through strategic collaboration and robust skillsets, which makes them valuable assets within your medical affairs teams.
Their importance shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s essential to understand how they empower organizations to make more informed, evidence-based decisions.
Remember, as a company, you can ensure widespread organizational success when you equip your MSLs with the best insight-gathering platforms like Kwello.
