MSLs: The Superheroes of Pharma?

The Medical Science Liaison (MSL) has come a long way in a short time. While pharma never stands still for long, the need for scientifically credible partners to help customers understand the growing complexity of new medicines and navigate the choppy waters of real-world evidence and health outcomes, has seen the MSL come to the fore in ways few might have imagined.While the core competencies of the MSL remain unchanged, new capabilities will be needed – both for MSLs and MSL leaders – to meet the demands of the changing roles. But what does the modern MSL look like and what skills will they need now and in the near future?For Cesar Sanz Rodriguez, Associate VP, Medical Affairs Lead Mid-Europe Region, at MSD, the MSL should be a medical resource for the scientific leader and add value by being able to “explain what the treatment means to the patient, what it means in terms of adherence and quality of life — and eventually what value it brings to the patient, the physician and the healthcare system.”“Healthcare landscapes are changing so quickly, and the roles in the different landscapes are changing to keep up,” says Walter Sheloff, Customer Facing Medical Excellence Lead, Europe, Pfizer. “But it’s going to vary by healthcare market. Countries are evolving at different speeds and rates .”He points to how MSLs in countries like Sweden or the UK are potentially engaging different customers than MSLs in, for example, Spain or Russia. “In some countries, de...

Source: EyeForPharma - October 25, 2017 Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Lucy Fulford Source Type: news