Who are the MSL's internal stakeholders?

Medical Science Liaisons have an important strategic and tactical role for pharmaceutical companies both internally and in the field.

I will explore in this text the main internal stakeholders in the MSL network and what is their impact to these functional areas.

MEDICAL AFFAIRS

MSLs are part of the Medical Affairs team of the company. I would say that the main role of the MSLs is to translate the company's medical strategy to the field. However, MSLs also have internal tasks related to the medical affairs functional area. MSLs participate on the development of scientific concepts (also called medical drivers), they can organize and give support to advisory boards and they perform speaker training. Other related areas that MSLs can also work with are Medical Information and Regulatory affairs.

MARKETING

Product Managers need to construct the brand strategy for the company's drugs. It includes to create key promotional messages, develop promotional materials, plan events, among others. The MSLs usually work in the field gathering KOLs perspectives since the product is been studied in clinical trials. This provides a full repertory of field insights to the MSL that will certainly contribute to the brand strategy construction and constant reassessment. Additionally, MSLs can participate on revising promotional materials and help to train the sales force to comprehend and use the scientific concepts used.

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Research and Development is an essential functional area for pharmaceutical companies. It is responsible for generating data that base the indications, safety and efficacy of therapies. Depending on the company, MSLs are more or less invoved with clinical research, providing insights, gathering Investigator Initiative Studies (IISs) proposals, supporting patient recruitment, suggesting clinical sites and investigators and participating on trainings and visits in clinical sites. MSLs can also provide training to the clinical research monitors, for example, to improve their understanding in the specific therapeutic area and products.

TRAINING

MSLs are experts of the therapeutic area and products that they work with. Often the Training team works together with MSLs when organizing tecnical trainings to Sales Force, Access team, R&D, etc.

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I believe the key message of this article is that, although MSLs are mainly field professionals, they are strategically important for the company internal teams and they can interact and contribute to a huge range of functional areas.

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I hope you enjoyed this article!

Please, let me know your opinions and let's exchange experiences!

Kind regards,

Camila T. da Silva