MSL Training and Education in Neuroscience and Psychopharmacology

  • Medical affairs is a bridge between our clinical, scientific, and commercial teams, and even helps drive greater patient-centricity
  • Today’s thought leaders are looking for detailed information as they engage in clinical conversations with life sciences companies.
  • There is a growing scientific sophistication of pharmaceutical products, particularly genomics and orphan drugs. Both therapeutic categories tend to be much more complex and technical, requiring scientifically trained medical experts in these discussions.
  • Nowadays MSLs are engaging in conversations of a broader scope with physicians, going beyond the translation of science to issues such as health outcomes and the real-world effectiveness of drugs and supporting investigator-initiated studies.
  • Measuring the value of MSLs will always involve a mix of quantitative and qualitative variables, A quantitative variable is amount of face time an MSL spends with a physician. A qualitative measure might be the medical insight derived from those conversations, collected in a system that’s easily accessible by other internal teams.
  • An optimal point to begin measuring the impact of the MSL is during the prelaunch period, ensuring the ongoing alignment of scientific communication from medical affairs related to broader organisational goals. Companies can measure this impact and value through the individual feedback and the scientific insights generated by the MSL teams over time.
  • Systematically capturing insight gathered during thought leader interactions is critical to success. Equally critical is finding a solution that specifically addresses the unique needs of the medical team, such as how to identify KOLs, build in-depth profiles, and develop meaningful engagement plans.
  • As KOLs continue to pose accessibility challenges, MSLs looking to create real impact will need the right training and the right technological support. MSLs who have the resources to collaborate with other functional departments and the communication skills required for clear, personal, and persuasive discussions will be well positioned to provide a truly customer-centric experience.