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An '''MSL''' is a therapeutic specialist (i.e. ], ], ]) within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and CRO companies who have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a doctorate degree (Ph.D., PharmD., M.D.) in the life sciences. An '''MSL''' concentrate on a specific Therapeutic Area (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS, Pulmonary, Hematology, Surgery, Women's Health Care, etc) and disease state. An '''MSL''' is a therapeutic specialist (i.e. ], ], ]) within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and CRO companies who have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a doctorate degree (Ph.D., PharmD., M.D.) in the life sciences. An '''MSL''' concentrate on a specific Therapeutic Area (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS, Pulmonary, Hematology, Surgery, Women's Health Care, etc) and disease state.


⚫ MSLs build relationships with key opinion leaders or ]s and ]s, providing critical windows of insight into the market and competition. Through such monitoring, MSLs can gain access to key influencers by interacting with national and regional societies and organizations. Moreover, as MSLs specialize in a particular therapeutic area and have scientific knowledge related to it they are now highly involved in activities related to ]s.
⚫ It's important to note that MSL's are not sales reps and their function is very different. According to Dr. Samuel Dyer<ref>http://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer</ref>, Chairman of the Board at the Medical Science Liaison Society<ref>www.themsls.org</ref>:

⚫ “The primary purpose of the '''MSL''' role is to be scientific or disease state experts for internal colleagues (sales and marketing), but more importantly for doctors in the Therapeutic Area of the ] in which they work (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS etc.). The focus of the role has changed over the years, but the primary responsibility of the MSL role remains to establish and maintain peer-peer relationships with leading doctors, referred to as '''Key Opinion Leaders''' (KOL's).”
⚫ It's important to note that MSL's are not sales reps and their function is very different. According to '''Dr. Samuel Dyer'''<ref>http://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer</ref>, Chairman of the Board at the Medical Science Liaison Society<ref>www.themsls.org</ref>:
⚫ :::“The primary purpose of the '''MSL''' role is to be scientific or disease state experts for internal colleagues (sales and marketing), but more importantly for doctors in the Therapeutic Area of the ] in which they work (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS etc.). The focus of the role has changed over the years, but the primary responsibility of the MSL role remains to establish and maintain peer-peer relationships with leading doctors, referred to as '''Key Opinion Leaders''' (KOL's).”




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Although, historically, the educational standard in the industry did not require MSL’s to have a terminal “D” degree, however, today the terminal “D” degree has become standard in the industry. Today according to one benchmark study more than 90% of current MSLs hold terminal “D” degrees.<ref>Chin, J. (2004). Biotechnology’s special forces: field-based medical science liaisons. J. Comm. Biotechnol. 10, 1–7</ref> Although, historically, the educational standard in the industry did not require MSL’s to have a terminal “D” degree, however, today the terminal “D” degree has become standard in the industry. Today according to one benchmark study more than 90% of current MSLs hold terminal “D” degrees.<ref>Chin, J. (2004). Biotechnology’s special forces: field-based medical science liaisons. J. Comm. Biotechnol. 10, 1–7</ref>
One recent benchmark study, reported that there has been an average growth of 76% of the MSL role since 2005 across the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the U.S.<ref>Wolin, M. J., Ayers, P. M. & Chan, E. K. (2001). The emerging role of medical affairs within the modern pharmaceutical company. Drug Inform. J. 35, 547–555.</ref> One recent benchmark study, reported that there has been an average growth of 76% of the MSL role since 2005 across the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the U.S.<ref>Wolin, M. J., Ayers, P. M. & Chan, E. K. (2001). The emerging role of medical affairs within the modern pharmaceutical company. Drug Inform. J. 35, 547–555.</ref>
Although the MSL role has received some attention, including a CNN Money article entitled "#1 Job in Pharmaceuticals-10 Jobs for Big Demand-Good Pay”<ref>http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/news/0702/gallery.jobs_in_demand/</ref>, “it remains one of the best kept secrets and one of the most difficult roles to break into. Few people know about it, and little is written about the role. In fact, the MSL community is quite small when compared to other professions in the pharmaceutical industry however there has been an explosion in the growth of the position” according to Dr. Dyer<ref>http://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer</ref>. Although the MSL role has received some attention, including a CNN Money article entitled "#1 Job in Pharmaceuticals-10 Jobs for Big Demand-Good Pay”<ref>http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/news/0702/gallery.jobs_in_demand/</ref>,
:::“It remains one of the best kept secrets and one of the most difficult roles to break into. Few people know about it, and little is written about the role. In fact, the MSL community is quite small when compared to other professions in the pharmaceutical industry however there has been an explosion in the growth of the position” according to '''Dr. Dyer''' <ref>http://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer</ref>.


== Medical Science Liaison Society == == Medical Science Liaison Society ==
The '''Medical Science Liaison Society''' is a ] Non-Profit Organization that was created to fill this need and is exclusively dedicated to advancing the '''global MSL profession'''. The '''Medical Science Liaison Society''' is a ] Non-Profit Organization that was created to fill this need and is exclusively dedicated to advancing the '''Global MSL profession'''.
The society serves as a voice for the profession by building further awareness of the important contributions that MSLs make in advancing science which ultimately improves the quality of life for patients. The society serves as a voice for the profession by building further awareness of the important contributions that MSLs make in advancing science which ultimately improves the quality of life for patients.
=== Benefits & Resources ===
The Medical Science Liaison Society provides numerous resources <ref>http://themsls.org/mission-and-vision</ref>for those interested in the MSL career, as well as, professional growth and development opportunities for current MSL Managers and individual MSLs including: The Medical Science Liaison Society provides numerous resources <ref>http://themsls.org/mission-and-vision</ref>for those interested in the MSL career, as well as, professional growth and development opportunities for current MSL Managers and individual MSLs including:
* Networking opportunities to meet and engage with MSL colleagues and management around the world * Networking opportunities to meet and engage with MSL colleagues and management around the world
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As the MSL role continues to grow and evolve, The Medical Science Liaison Society<ref>http://themsls.org/what-is-an-msl</ref> will provide resources to members to increase their industry knowledge, connect them to the global MSL community, and give them the tools and resources they need to advance in their careers. As the MSL role continues to grow and evolve, The Medical Science Liaison Society<ref>http://themsls.org/what-is-an-msl</ref> will provide resources to members to increase their industry knowledge, connect them to the global MSL community, and give them the tools and resources they need to advance in their careers.


== Benefits == === Career Center ===
Medical Science Liaison Society provides the best career resources in the form of a Unique and Niche Career Center<ref>http://careercenter.themsls.org/</ref> to the global MSL community, to make it that much easier to facilitate connections between MSL professionals and employers.
The MSL Society joined hands with National Healthcare Career Network<ref>nhcnnetwork.org</ref> linking their job board to the job boards of nearly 300 leading healthcare associations and professional organizations.
The NHCN brings together audiences from across the medical community to provide job placement and advancement opportunities along with career development tools and resources. The NHCN allows the new MSL Society Career Center platform to become a stronger, more powerful resource for employers and candidates while retaining its unique position as the ONLY career center for the global MSL community.
*Benefits for Employers includes:
** Two Posting Options
** Enhanced Exposure
** MSL Society Network Wizard
** Extended Posting Durations
** Pre-Paid Discount Package
** Discounts for MSL Society Members
*Benefits for Jobseekers includes:
** Enhanced Exposure
** Professional Profile
** Job Agents
** Searchable Portfolio
** Job Application Preview
** Sign-In using social media
** Save Jobs
** FREE CV Review

=== How To Break Into Your First MSL Role<ref>http://www.themslbook.com/</ref>===
It is a widely known fact that there is lack of literature and information about MSL roles and how to break into MSL role. Dr. Dyer is credited with authoring the first ever published book on how to break into the MSL role. Using his direct experience as an MSL, as someone who hired MSL, interviewed MSL, reviewed numerous MSL CVs and managed large MSL teams, Dr. Dyer wrote the first ever published book titled '''THE MEDICAL SCIENCE LIAISON CAREER GUIDE: How to Break Into Your First Role'''. To date, this book is regarded as the best step-by-step guide to land your first MSL role.
In the word of Belinda Gist, PhD Director, MSL Training Genzyme Corporation:
:::"Dr. Dyer has developed the essential ‘how-to’ manual for entering the MSL role. His insight into the importance of preparation for the interview is tremendous. Dr. Dyer provides clear and concise direction on how to research a company prior to that first interaction and how to optimize chances of getting noticed through social media. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone trying to break into the MSL role as well as for current MSLs seeking to transition to a new company."

Donna Holder, PharmD Senior Director, Global MSL Excellence AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals says:
:::"Having interviewed and hired countless MSLs, I am sure that Dr. Dyer’s book will be an excellent resource for MSL job-seekers. Dr. Dyer demystifies the process for individuals looking to break into the MSL role and provides practical advice and guidance. Not only does he cover the basics in terms of the job search and interview preparation, but he also provides a pragmatic approach to using social media. This book is sure to become a go-to reference for MSL applicants."


⚫ MSLs build relationships with key opinion leaders or ]s and ]s, providing critical windows of insight into the market and competition. Through such monitoring, MSLs can gain access to key influencers by interacting with national and regional societies and organizations. Moreover, as MSLs specialize in a particular therapeutic area and have scientific knowledge related to it they are now highly involved in activities related to ]s.


== See also == == See also ==

Revision as of 14:00, 25 September 2014

Definition & Overview

A medical science liaison (abbreviated as MSL) is a healthcare consulting professional who is employed by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and managed care companies.

The term "MSL" is originally trademarked by Upjohn COMPANY as "EDUCATIONAL SERVICES-NAMELY, INITIATION OF DRUG STUDIES IN LABORATORY AND CLINICAL SETTINGS AND DEVELOPMENT OF WORKSHOPS SYMPOSIA AND SEMINARS FOR PHYSICIANS, MEDICAL SOCIETIES, SPECIALITY ORGANIZATIONS, ACADEMICIANS, IN CONCERT, CONCERNED WITH DRUG RELATED MEDICAL TOPICS." in 1967 and with first use in commerce in 1967 , serves as the definitive, documented source of origin of MSL term as used in healthcare today.

As the number of MSL programs in healthcare increased, subsequent peer-reviewed journal publications and books became available to examine the emerging role of medical affairs and the use of MSLs in an increasingly vertically integrated biotechnology industry.


An MSL is a therapeutic specialist (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS) within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and CRO companies who have advanced scientific training and academic credentials generally consisting of a doctorate degree (Ph.D., PharmD., M.D.) in the life sciences. An MSL concentrate on a specific Therapeutic Area (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS, Pulmonary, Hematology, Surgery, Women's Health Care, etc) and disease state.

MSLs build relationships with key opinion leaders or thought leaders and health care providers, providing critical windows of insight into the market and competition. Through such monitoring, MSLs can gain access to key influencers by interacting with national and regional societies and organizations. Moreover, as MSLs specialize in a particular therapeutic area and have scientific knowledge related to it they are now highly involved in activities related to clinical trials.

It's important to note that MSL's are not sales reps and their function is very different. According to Dr. Samuel Dyer, Chairman of the Board at the Medical Science Liaison Society:

“The primary purpose of the MSL role is to be scientific or disease state experts for internal colleagues (sales and marketing), but more importantly for doctors in the Therapeutic Area of the Medical community in which they work (i.e. Oncology, Cardiology, CNS etc.). The focus of the role has changed over the years, but the primary responsibility of the MSL role remains to establish and maintain peer-peer relationships with leading doctors, referred to as Key Opinion Leaders (KOL's).”


History

Medical Science Liaison’s were first established by Upjohn pharmaceuticals in 1967 as a response to the need for professionally-trained field staff that would be able to build rapport with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in various therapeutic areas of research. Although originally called Medical Science Liaisons by Upjohn, over the years and today, pharmaceutical companies have used various names for the role including: Medical Liaisons, Medical Managers, Regional Scientific Mangers, Clinical Liaisons, and Scientific Affairs Managers among others. Originally, the first MSLs were selected from experienced sales representatives that had strong scientific backgrounds to bring a higher degree of clinical and educational expertise to the medical professionals they were working with to influence sales. Over the years, MSL teams have been made up of individuals with various scientific backgrounds including: “super” sales reps, those with nursing backgrounds, those with various doctoral level degrees or other clinical backgrounds. However, the required educational and scientific background and purpose of MSL’s has progressively changed over the years since they were first established. In the late 1980’s, a number of companies began to require those applying to MSL roles to hold a terminal “D” degree such as an MD, PharmD, or Ph.D. Although, historically, the educational standard in the industry did not require MSL’s to have a terminal “D” degree, however, today the terminal “D” degree has become standard in the industry. Today according to one benchmark study more than 90% of current MSLs hold terminal “D” degrees. One recent benchmark study, reported that there has been an average growth of 76% of the MSL role since 2005 across the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. Although the MSL role has received some attention, including a CNN Money article entitled "#1 Job in Pharmaceuticals-10 Jobs for Big Demand-Good Pay”,

“It remains one of the best kept secrets and one of the most difficult roles to break into. Few people know about it, and little is written about the role. In fact, the MSL community is quite small when compared to other professions in the pharmaceutical industry however there has been an explosion in the growth of the position” according to Dr. Dyer .

Medical Science Liaison Society

The Medical Science Liaison Society is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization that was created to fill this need and is exclusively dedicated to advancing the Global MSL profession. The society serves as a voice for the profession by building further awareness of the important contributions that MSLs make in advancing science which ultimately improves the quality of life for patients.

Benefits & Resources

The Medical Science Liaison Society provides numerous resources for those interested in the MSL career, as well as, professional growth and development opportunities for current MSL Managers and individual MSLs including:

  • Networking opportunities to meet and engage with MSL colleagues and management around the world
  • A Global MSL Directory
  • Information on trends within the MSL career
  • Career Advancement Resources
  • Live Conferences featuring prominent speakers where members can interact and share ideas
  • Training materials including best practice sharing for experienced MSLs and MSL Management
  • Resources to assist candidates who want to break into the role
  • Research and Publications
  • Educational Materials including videos, articles, presentations and other resources from global experts

As the MSL role continues to grow and evolve, The Medical Science Liaison Society will provide resources to members to increase their industry knowledge, connect them to the global MSL community, and give them the tools and resources they need to advance in their careers.

Career Center

Medical Science Liaison Society provides the best career resources in the form of a Unique and Niche Career Center to the global MSL community, to make it that much easier to facilitate connections between MSL professionals and employers. The MSL Society joined hands with National Healthcare Career Network linking their job board to the job boards of nearly 300 leading healthcare associations and professional organizations. The NHCN brings together audiences from across the medical community to provide job placement and advancement opportunities along with career development tools and resources. The NHCN allows the new MSL Society Career Center platform to become a stronger, more powerful resource for employers and candidates while retaining its unique position as the ONLY career center for the global MSL community.

  • Benefits for Employers includes:
    • Two Posting Options
    • Enhanced Exposure
    • MSL Society Network Wizard
    • Extended Posting Durations
    • Pre-Paid Discount Package
    • Discounts for MSL Society Members
  • Benefits for Jobseekers includes:
    • Enhanced Exposure
    • Professional Profile
    • Job Agents
    • Searchable Portfolio
    • Job Application Preview
    • Sign-In using social media
    • Save Jobs
    • FREE CV Review

How To Break Into Your First MSL Role

It is a widely known fact that there is lack of literature and information about MSL roles and how to break into MSL role. Dr. Dyer is credited with authoring the first ever published book on how to break into the MSL role. Using his direct experience as an MSL, as someone who hired MSL, interviewed MSL, reviewed numerous MSL CVs and managed large MSL teams, Dr. Dyer wrote the first ever published book titled THE MEDICAL SCIENCE LIAISON CAREER GUIDE: How to Break Into Your First Role. To date, this book is regarded as the best step-by-step guide to land your first MSL role. In the word of Belinda Gist, PhD Director, MSL Training Genzyme Corporation:

"Dr. Dyer has developed the essential ‘how-to’ manual for entering the MSL role. His insight into the importance of preparation for the interview is tremendous. Dr. Dyer provides clear and concise direction on how to research a company prior to that first interaction and how to optimize chances of getting noticed through social media. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone trying to break into the MSL role as well as for current MSLs seeking to transition to a new company."

Donna Holder, PharmD Senior Director, Global MSL Excellence AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals says:

"Having interviewed and hired countless MSLs, I am sure that Dr. Dyer’s book will be an excellent resource for MSL job-seekers. Dr. Dyer demystifies the process for individuals looking to break into the MSL role and provides practical advice and guidance. Not only does he cover the basics in terms of the job search and interview preparation, but he also provides a pragmatic approach to using social media. This book is sure to become a go-to reference for MSL applicants."


See also


References

  1. United States Patent and Trademark Office Serial Number 73176757
  2. Malecha, S. E., Wiejowski, S. A. & Holt, R. J. (2000). "The applied therapeutics team: an innovative model of drug information in the pharmaceutical industry". Drug Inform. J. 34 (4): 1069–1075. doi:10.1177/009286150003400411.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Wolin, M. J., Ayers, P. M. and Chan, E. K. (2001). "The emerging role of medical affairs within the modern pharmaceutical company". Drug Inform. J. 35 (2): 547–555. doi:10.1177/009286150103500225.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. Chin, J. (2004). "Biotechnology's special forces: field-based medical science liaisons". J. Comm. Biotechnol. 10 (4): 1–7. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jcb.3040088.
  5. http://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer
  6. www.themsls.org
  7. Chin, J. (2004). Biotechnology’s special forces: field-based medical science liaisons. J. Comm. Biotechnol. 10, 1–7
  8. Wolin, M. J., Ayers, P. M. & Chan, E. K. (2001). The emerging role of medical affairs within the modern pharmaceutical company. Drug Inform. J. 35, 547–555.
  9. http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/news/0702/gallery.jobs_in_demand/
  10. http://www.linkedin.com/in/samueldyer
  11. http://themsls.org/mission-and-vision
  12. http://themsls.org/what-is-an-msl
  13. http://careercenter.themsls.org/
  14. nhcnnetwork.org
  15. http://www.themslbook.com/
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