The global pharmaceutical market is poised for remarkable growth, with a projected annual rate of 5.8% from 2023 to 2028, set to reach a staggering value of $1.478 trillion by 2028. This growth surge is driven predominantly by specialty products, rare disease treatments, and orphan drugs.
In this era of pharmaceutical expansion, medical science liaisons (MSLs) emerge as the linchpin, tasked with enlightening healthcare providers (HCPs) and ensuring that the latest medical innovations translate into improved patient care.
At present, there are over 300,000 medical affairs professionals worldwide, with MSLs forming the majority of this dedicated cohort. Their pivotal role extends beyond the conventional boundaries of information dissemination, transforming them into strategic decision-makers, scientific stalwarts, and collaboration champions. MSLs facilitate physician-led studies, contributing invaluable data that can expand a drug’s indications and usage, underscoring their evolving significance.
The evolution of MSL roles has engendered a demand for a diverse skill set, merging scientific prowess with business acumen. Notably, the requirement for advanced degrees such as MDs, PharmDs, or PhDs for MSLs and medical affairs professionals only emerged in the early 2000s.
Competence and expertise are paramount in safeguarding patient well-being and establishing trust among stakeholders, including physicians, pharmacists, and healthcare providers.
I personally experienced the pressing need for industry-standard practices during my tenure as a senior pharmaceutical executive in medical affairs. An instance that highlights this need involves a product used in combination with an existing drug, lacking safety data on the combined effects.
Proposing a study to investigate this interaction was met with resistance, underlining the industry’s unfamiliarity with designing such studies and recognizing their significance in addressing physician needs.
In 2015, I founded the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), aimed at aiding MSLs and medical affairs professionals in adapting to evolving practices. ACMA advocates for practitioners to become board-certified in medical affairs, with the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) accreditation leading the way. BCMAS eligibility requires either advanced degrees (MD, PhD, or PharmD) or relevant industry experience in medical affairs or the pharmaceutical sector.
The rationale for certification is clear, as medical affairs has grown increasingly intricate, with numerous professionals spread across global pharmaceutical companies. Heightened scrutiny stems from medical affairs’ role in shaping medical thought leadership, necessitating transparency and independent accreditation.
Board certification yields myriad benefits, notably bolstering patient safety through enhanced understanding of scientific advancements. Trust is cultivated when healthcare providers are assured of MSL competency, enabling effective communication of intricate scientific information and fostering collaboration. This trust empowers healthcare providers to make well-informed treatment decisions aligned with the latest innovations.
Moreover, adopting competency standards elevates the pharmaceutical industry’s reputation, demonstrating a commitment to professionalism and excellence. This resonates positively with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, patients, and regulatory bodies.
As the pharmaceutical industry enters an era of heightened medical affairs visibility, shaping the future of these roles becomes pivotal. Collaboration among stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, and professional associations, is crucial to establishing unified criteria for certification, ensuring consistency and enhancing credibility.
In this ever-evolving industry landscape, board certification remains indispensable, driving excellence and innovation in medical affairs and MSL roles, ultimately benefiting patient care and healthcare outcomes.