The Medical Science Liaison Role in Spain: A Survey Capturing the Opinion of Medical Department Professionals

Abstract

Background Literature that addresses the role of Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is currently limited. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey in Spain that gathers opinions from professionals whose work is either in or related to the medical departments from pharmaceutical companies. Methods A survey delivered by the SurveyMonkey online platform was completed by 101 pharmaceutical industry professionals (medical advisor/manager, 31.7%; medical director, 26.7%; medical information, 12.9%; and MSL manager, 11.9%). Results The median score for the global impression of the MSL was 8.7. The collaboration goes beyond formation since 85.1% of the respondents believed that MSLs should actively collaborate in both clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies, they should have more involvement with market access (51.5%), and they play an important role in compliance (94.0%). There was a tendency toward granting MSLs more responsibilities in terms of budget (73.3%) and their participation in the elaboration of the Medical Plan (91.1%). This position was considered as a strategic partner both internally and externally (76.2%). Conclusion MSL is a well-known field-based profile with increasing importance and responsibilities. MSLs represent a strategic position as internal collaborators in the company, whose success relies on cross-functional work. The MSL’s profile is in constant development, currently facing challenges such as adapting to remote interactions, or providing a clear definition with the best metrics to measure their performance as a non-promotional position.

The Medical Science Liaison Role in Spain: Opinion of the Commercial Department Personnel

“…Furthermore, the MSL position had been present in the company for more than 4 years (80%). Also, the point of view of the medical department was analyzed in accordance to the perspective of 101 professionals in one of our surveys [ 16 ]. The respondents stated that the antiquity of the role was between 5 and 7 years for 28.0% of participants, 13% between 8 and 10 years, and 21.0% for more than 10 years [ 16 ].…”

“…Also, the point of view of the medical department was analyzed in accordance to the perspective of 101 professionals in one of our surveys [ 16 ]. The respondents stated that the antiquity of the role was between 5 and 7 years for 28.0% of participants, 13% between 8 and 10 years, and 21.0% for more than 10 years [ 16 ]. These facts highlighted the need to improve the knowledge about the position from the commercial perspective, since MSLs are assuming a step forward in responsibility as there are no longer the “executor” of the medical affairs plan but a strategic role [ 8 ].…”

“…Similarly, Moss et al, [ 13 ] in a blinded survey with 116 KOLs from the diabetes therapeutic area, showed that about one in three academic KOLs and one in two practicing KOLs considered MSLs as a first or second source of important information. In one of our previous surveys, the medical department stated that the most relevant daily activity was face-to-face discussions (85.1%), followed by clinical sessions and support to trials [ 16 ]. In a global survey performed by the MSL Society, the most typical activities of MSLs were attending medical conferences, KOL relationship management (95% each), educating KOLs (93%), and delivery scientific presentations (92%) followed by gathering insights and training sales force, among others [ 20 ].…”

“…The MSL task force of the Association of Medicine of the Pharmaceutical Industry in Spain (AMIFE, ‘ Asociación de Medicina de la Industria Farmacéutica en España ´) [ 15 ] started a project by the end of 2017 and early 2018 aimed to characterize the MSL profile from the perspective of diverse stakeholders in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, including MSLs [ 8 ], HCPs [ 3 ], medical departments (medical affairs, medical information medical, clinical operations, and pharmacovigilance) [ 16 ], and finally commercial departments. The present study represents the last of the surveys, whose specific objective was to evaluate the knowledge of the commercial department personnel about the MSL role and describe the grade of interaction between them in daily practice, paying special attention to the position of the personnel.…”