Medical Science Liaison

[Pinser555]

I was wondering if anybody had some insight on any possible internships in the MSL field in Boston. As this is my career goal, it would also be helpful if anybody knew what else you can do to distinguish yourself as a candidate while attending pharmacy school.

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[bacillus1]

I'm not sure about Boston, but last semester I went to a pharmaceutical company and talked to the director of scientific communications there, and she said that she believes that the best background for an MSL is a PGY2 for whatever area you're working as an MSL in (for example ID, oncology, etc...). Either that or an industry residency/fellowship, but she thought a PGY2 was better since you have a lot more clinical exposure and have the flexibility of working as a clinical specialist if you want.

 

[type b pharmD]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=5368204

 

[Pinser555]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking a fellowship was required, but I guess a 2-year residency as well. I looked over that thread to before posting here. But I guess it didn't quite answer my question. Many of the summer internships listed there are more based of drug safety and regulatory affairs. Nothing seems to come up thats closely related to the MSL job description.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Thanks for the input. I was thinking a fellowship was required, but I guess a 2-year residency as well. I looked over that thread to before posting here. But I guess it didn't quite answer my question. Many of the summer internships listed there are more based of drug safety and regulatory affairs. Nothing seems to come up thats closely related to the MSL job description.

Drug safety and regulatory affairs are areas an MSL is likely to address... From my understanding, you simply need to be a credentialed expert - and both a PGY2 (clinical practice) or a fellowship (research) would on paper give you such.

And of course, landing the job is the most difficult part. The two MSLs I know of came from an insurance background (PBM and P&T) - so that may be something else you may want to look into.

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

MSL is an unstable field in my opinion. One of the main purpose of MSL is to provide information for drugs being marketed heavily. But the drug will go generic one day and even before that, the marketing effort wanes within 3 to 5 years. I've met an MSL for Zithromax in mid 90's.. I have no idea what he does today. I worked closely with a Fragmin MSL... I have no idea where she is today. I knew a Merrem MSL. She's a staff pharmacist today lamenting full of nostalgic MSL days of working from home office.

Though it's against my belief to be a speaker for pharma, I would think having a clinical pharmacist position at a teaching institution will allow many opportunities get on the speaker program.

 

[DrugRX]

Just out of curiosity... How about other areas such as regulartory affairs or product manager? Any fields in industry that is stable and has a bright future for pharmacist?

MSL is an unstable field in my opinion. One of the main purpose of MSL is to provide information for drugs being marketed heavily. But the drug will go generic one day and even before that, the marketing effort wanes within 3 to 5 years. I've met an MSL for Zithromax in mid 90's.. I have no idea what he does today. I worked closely with a Fragmin MSL... I have no idea where she is today. I knew a Merrem MSL. She's a staff pharmacist today lamenting full of nostalgic MSL days of working from home office.

Though it's against my belief to be a speaker for pharma, I would think having a clinical pharmacist position at a teaching institution will allow many opportunities get on the speaker program.

 

[StaviZFingerZ]

How about other areas such as regulartory affairs or product manager? Any fields in industry that is stable and has a bright future for pharmacist?

I'm an optimist. Glass half full... it'll be alright... everything will workout in the end type.

But I already know my once held belief that most of us will be able to hold down a part time job working 2 days a week to fight boredom after we retire will never pan out. Who's going to want to hire an old fart who can't compete with youngins processing orders?

There are way too many pharmacy schools with more on its way. With so many pharmacists spilling out, employers are getting more and more comfortable of saying "if you don't like it...go somewhere else...we'll just replace you." This wasn't the case 5 years ago.

Pharmacist license meant a job security. Not anymore. Except for extreme rural hospitals, I'm not seeing pharmacist shortage anywhere with a load of resumes when there's a vacancy.

One thing is certain you have to be more competitive than other pharmacists... more education, more training... yet this doesn't guaranty anything.

I'm not seeing anything in pharmacy with a stable and bright future.

 

[smileyangel11]

I was wondering if anybody had some insight on any possible internships in the MSL field in Boston. As this is my career goal, it would also be helpful if anybody knew what else you can do to distinguish yourself as a candidate while attending pharmacy school.

I had couple job hunters calls for MSL positions last year. This is not a career path I'm interested in right now, but some information I found out, as follows:

The starting pay is $90,000 -$120,000 for a Regional MSL in the Midwest. As a MSL, you will provide services on an "arena" of pipeline drugs (e.g. Cards/ID/Oncology...etc) for a particular pharmaceutical company. A lot of traveling is required, but you have the option of working from a home office for some guranteed days every wk.

As a start, I think it's not a bad idea to talk to drugs reps during their presentation sessions at your hospital. Get information on how to contact MSLs for your region. I don't think many formal internships are available, but you probably can get shadowing opportunities if you ask.

 

[Pinser555]

Thanks for the info smiley. I will try and see if I can hook up with the MSL in my region. I am actually looking forward to the travel. I think it could be fun for a few years while I'm young. Did you residency train after school?

Stavi, I feel like everything in the healthcare field is becoming less stable. I know nursing and pa students who can't find jobs either. Its going to boil down to "who you know" and "not what you know." I trying to jump the gun as soon as possible.

After all, it could be worse. You could be an RPH in Greece and really be screwed ;-)

 

[MustLoveDrugs]

http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Scien...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213896259&sr=1-1http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=47774

 

[Pinser555]

Ouch.. 45 bucks!

 

[MustLoveDrugs]

Ouch.. 45 bucks!

getting in touch with dr. albert directly would be your free alternative... she's got several websites (including pharmllc.com) and she's on linkedin

 

[Pinser555]

Sweet, thanks!

 

[MustLoveDrugs]

No sweat. I'm sure there are other ways to learn about MSL, but she's the one that comes to mind when I think of that line of work. Best of luck finding the answers you need.