Medical Science Liaison

[MarchIoda]

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I have read that MDs, PhDs, and PharmDs are all qualified for this position and the industry has some bias for PharmDs with a residency. I would think a fellowship would help with connections and know that they prefer phase III-IV experience in a particular therapeutic area. Does anyone know what type of residency would make a PharmD applicant desirable for a medical science liaison position?

 

[GatorRxGirl]

PGY1 then fellowship would probably be best. Browse the ACCP website since they are more fellowship and research oriented. Also...do searches on Monster and places like that and just call. They won't bite.

 

[IndustryPharmD]

I have read that MDs, PhDs, and PharmDs are all qualified for this position and the industry has some bias for PharmDs with a residency. I would think a fellowship would help with connections and know that they prefer phase III-IV experience in a particular therapeutic area. Does anyone know what type of residency would make a PharmD applicant desirable for a medical science liaison position?

If you have an interest in a specific therapeutic area, do a specialty residency and become certified in that area, that will be the best bet.

 

[RNtoPharmD]

I tried to search for this job title on the internet. I saw that requirements are PharmD, PhD, MD, sometimes RN. Do they prefer MD over PharmD or PhD? Are they in the same pay scale regardless of educational background MD/PhD/PharmD/RN?

 

[IndustryPharmD]

I tried to search for this job title on the internet. I saw that requirements are PharmD, PhD, MD, sometimes RN. Do they prefer MD over PharmD or PhD? Are they in the same pay scale regardless of educational background MD/PhD/PharmD/RN?

I would say it is very unusual to have an RN as an MSL... most major pharma companies want a doctorate-level degree (Doctor of Nursing is perfectly OK), or at least an MSN nurse with experience. As far as the pay scale, it is always a far more complex question than a mere degree. The range is determined by the position. So, everyone who is a first-year MSL with no tenure in the company is going to be within a certain range. Their degree, their experience, the value they are expected to bring to the company, etc. determine where within that range they will fall. Generally, doctorate-level degree pays more than non-doctorate at the same level. As far as the difference between them... I do not know, but my gut instinct is that MD > PharmD > PhD, but again, this is pure speculation.

 

[MarchIoda]

I just finished The Medical Science Liaison: An A to Z Guide by Erin Albert and Cathleen Sass which is a great read. It includes interviews with people in MSL and manager positions along with common career paths to and from this exciting role. 60% of MSL's in 2005 held PharmD's and there are more PhD's than MDs; however, MD's in this position get better compensation and respect from (some) thought leaders. With out MSL expreience a terminal degree is required. The RN's, BS's, and MS's in the field already have MSL experience or moved up from sales.

 

[bigdogc]

bump for more info... is a residency needed, or can you do research whilst in pharm school, network with the right people, and get the job straight out of college? Also, what about contract MSLs, like SOS? Can you do that without a residency?

 

[Hels2007]

bump for more info... is a residency needed, or can you do research whilst in pharm school, network with the right people, and get the job straight out of college? Also, what about contract MSLs, like SOS? Can you do that without a residency?

No. I have never heard of anyone hiring an MSL straight out of school and I would be extremely surprized if anyone did. Because straight out of school you don't know enough about either pharmacy or corporate life (unless you were employed full-time prior to pharmacy school) and simply don't command enough respect from your customers. But the main reason is, it is a competitive position, and if you can hire someone who has a residency or work experience and therefore will cost you a lot less to train and bring up to speed vs someone "green" - why would you hire someone straight out of school? They may be cheaper, but they aren't as cost effective. Residency isn't mandatory, though. Work experience, board certification (though you need a residency or work experience to be eligible anyway), previous employment with the company in a different position could all substitute.

Contract MSLs? Never heard of them. Contract sales force is reasonably common, but contract MSLs?

 

[MarchIoda]

With out prior field based experience, even at SOS, you need to be an expert in a therapeutic area, which can be best gained through a residency. Even then it's tough with out the field based experience. If anyone has any further insight...?

 

[Hels2007]

With out prior field based experience, even at SOS, you need to be an expert in a therapeutic area, which can be best gained through a residency. Even then it's tough with out the field based experience. If anyone has any further insight...?

Are you in pharmacy school right now? Talk to your professors who are clinical faculty and work at the university hospital. They will be able to set you up with a couple MSLs who work in that territory, so you could ask someone who really knows, instead of listening to all of our speculations... that's the best advice I can give. 🙂

 

[deleted205891]

Maybe a drug info. residency would be useful?

Still no idea about the difference between an MSL and a drug info. specialist.

 

[bigpharmD]

You need to do 2 years of residency or a fellowship. Why do all pharmacy students who graduate think they are entitled to sweet jobs without doing anything? Pharmacy is no different than any other profession. To get any job other than dispensing or order entry, you have to put in your time and become an expert. Do lawyers just graduate law school and defend movie stars? Do doctors graduate medical shool and magically become brain surgeons?

 

[Priapism321]

Maybe a drug info. residency would be useful?

Still no idea about the difference between an MSL and a drug info. specialist.

Besides the whole selling your soul thing, perhaps not much...

 

[Hels2007]

Maybe a drug info. residency would be useful?

Still no idea about the difference between an MSL and a drug info. specialist.

I don't know how big is the difference between an MSL and a drug info specialist, but drug information is the most horribly boring job in the whole field of pharmacy, IMHO.

 

[megandupe]

My apologies for reviving the 3 yr old thread, but has anyone heard of a pharmd/phd becoming an msl. It almost sounds like overkill to me, but if anyone can divulge anything id appreciate it.

 

[dingerx]

My apologies for reviving the 3 yr old thread, but has anyone heard of a pharmd/phd becoming an msl. It almost sounds like overkill to me, but if anyone can divulge anything id appreciate it.

Having been an msl for the past two years, I got out. This position will not be around in 5 years due to increased regulations. This is not a secure pathway. If that doesn't bother you then the answer is a PharmD will not get you a position as an msl. You need experience. I have never seen a PhD/PharmD combo as a msl. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but would be rare. Where is your experience, though? MSLs with experience will likely get hired over your degrees with no experience. My 2 cents.

 

[megandupe]

Having been an msl for the past two years, I got out. This position will not be around in 5 years due to increased regulations. This is not a secure pathway. If that doesn't bother you then the answer is a PharmD will not get you a position as an msl. You need experience. I have never seen a PhD/PharmD combo as a msl. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but would be rare. Where is your experience, though? MSLs with experience will likely get hired over your degrees with no experience. My 2 cents.

Thanks for responding! I'm a P1, and I've been anticipating to follow a pharmd/phd curriculum, but I was just introduced to the MSL title today and decided to look into it further. If i were to continue on this pathway, my experience would be in research, maybe even clinical research. From what I've been told thus far, is that a residency is a popular pathway, and you can be hired 4-5 yrs down the road from then. Could you please elaborate on why increased regulations would result in the downfall in this position? i'm hoping you wont say its saturated, i hear that enough on sdn.

 

[deleted205891]

Thanks for responding! I'm a P1, and I've been anticipating to follow a pharmd/phd curriculum, but I was just introduced to the MSL title today and decided to look into it further. If i were to continue on this pathway, my experience would be in research, maybe even clinical research. From what I've been told thus far, is that a residency is a popular pathway, and you can be hired 4-5 yrs down the road from then. Could you please elaborate on why increased regulations would result in the downfall in this position? i'm hoping you wont say its saturated, i hear that enough on sdn.

I haven't heard of the FDA trying to increase regs on MSLs when I did my promo reg rotation, but I think it is possible, since regs were increased on other promotional materials.

But I'll explain how it can happen: an MSL is different from a drug rep because they can discuss off label uses with doctors when asked a question (the MSL cannot proactively promote the drug, just respond reactively). However, the companies make "reactive slide decks", that are pretty much answers to whatever the doctors' questions might be. On my rotation, there was actually some discussion on these, as these aren't truly reactive, since they are made before the questions are really asked, so in theory the FDA could prohibit these. Also, though it is reactive, it is still sort of a promotion of unlabeled use, which the FDA may or may not like. In theory, a doctor could just call the drug info hotline to ask about an unlabeled use (though from my experience with those drug info hotlines, they usually aren't able to answer more than what's in the package insert).

 

[owlegrad]

(though from my experience with those drug info hotlines, they usually aren't able to answer more than what's in the package insert).

qft