Invest in MSLs to reap bigger gains

  If authenticity, data analysis and good customer rapport are the superpowers pharma needs most today, MSLs are the superheroes most able to wield them.  As the MSL ’s role continues to evolve from a supporting to a far more strategic one, pharma companies have much to gain from getting the most from this ever more important set of colleagues. Pharma therefore needs to invest in them and build MSLs ’ skills and knowledge in new areas, helping them adapt to new ways of interacting and use new technologies that can magnify their impact, says Emma Booth, Director, Medical Capabilities, EU Medical, at Amgen. “We are asking MSLs to do more and more and in order to ensure they can do that, we ne ed to invest in them.”  The benefits should be clear, says Booth. “We are in a unique position. We are the cornerstone. We can talk with internal and external stakeholders. We can reach more healthcare professionals and different external stakeholders than our partners can.”  Medical affairs will have to win that argument internally first. The challenges it faces include a lack of understanding by colleagues about MSLs role. The lack of representation at c-suite level and the fact that MSLs have traditionally fallen across a number of reporting structures, whether it be commercial or R&D, are also holding back MSLs from being deployed to best effect at a strategic and execution level. Better performance through metrics? Part of the reason for this perceived ident...
Source: EyeForPharma - Category: Pharmaceuticals Authors: Source Type: news