RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Though medical science liaisons (MSLs) work with pharmaceutical companies in many capacities, proving their value is a common challenge. Today, many biopharmaceutical companies are leveraging MSLs’ key points of contact—thought leaders and key opinion leaders (KOLs)—to weigh in on MSL performance, according to a new study by Cutting Edge Information.
The study, “MSL Activities and Performance Measurement: Harnessing KOL Relationships for Optimal Clinical Support,” found that since 2010, KOL feedback surveys have become a standard means of performance measurement across the pharmaceutical industry. Currently, 58% of all surveyed companies conduct KOL feedback surveys to assess MSL performance. These surveys are especially prevalent in the US and Asia Pacific based operations, where 62% and 86% of surveyed companies conduct them, respectively.
All companies surveyed for the study indicate that they use some form of the KOL feedback or that they are close to implementing one. MSL team managers and upper-management have learned that these surveys provide valuable insight to MSLs’ external and internal value to the company. Answers from these surveys can be used as quantitative metrics for presentations as well as qualitative assessments for individual MSL reviews.
“The surveys are free from compliance concerns because the company controls the questions asked, and the data is for internal use only,” explains Elio Evangelista, director of operations at Cutting Edge Information. “Moreover, these surveys further establish KOL relationships. Key opinion leaders will believe his or her concerns and needs are being heard by MSLs and internal stakeholders alike.”
“MSL Activities and Performance Measurement: Harnessing KOL Relationships for Optimal Clinical Support” (http://www.cuttingedgeinfo.com/research/medical-affairs/msl-medical-science-liaisons/) examines MSL teams at many of the world’s top pharmaceutical companies. This report is designed to help medical affairs departments and MSL teams:
- Allocate the right amount of time to key MSL activities
- Build essential key opinion leader relationships and optimize thought leader management
- Prove MSL value both externally to KOLs and internally to other critical functions and key stakeholders
For more information about Medical Science Liaisons and medical affairs teams, contact Elio Evangelista at 919-403-6583.