Frequenty Asked Questions
Q: What is a Medical Liaison (ML)?
A: The ML is a person who can communicate high scientific concepts, yet balance clinical objectives with business opportunities. Today, most MLs have an advanced scientific degree (MD, PhD, or PharmD) and through their liaison position serve as a link between a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device company and the medical community.
Q: What value does a scientist in the ML role bring to a company?
A: MLs are invaluable in shortening the time to peak product optimization, research, outreach, and key thought leader development. As the pharmaceutical industry undergoes dynamic changes and companies are making enormous investments in bringing new products to market, MLs are one of the most effective means of introducing and building product awareness.
Q: How do healthcare companies train MLs?
A: MLs typically receive new-hire training on three levels:
Therapeutic Area (scientific information on disease-state background; discussion of compelling current literature; and exploration of current therapeutic treatment options).
Medical Liaison Job Function (Initiating and maintaining relationships with external healthcare customers; complying with legal and regulatory guidelines; providing competitive intelligence; and bringing the science of the drug to the healthcare community).
Business Skills (communicating with both internal and external customers; maintaining records and reports; and managing a territory and customer base).
The integration of many complex skills is required to successfully navigate as an ML. Those named above are but a few.
Q: How long does it take to become fully trained as an ML?
A: Becoming an ML is a process. It takes several years to learn the nuances and develop successful job strategies.
It is important for MLs to remain "current" with respect to not only clinical knowledge, but also changes in the legal and regulatory environment.
Coaching and mentoring are also very important, not only to lay the foundation for a successful ML position, but for career development as well.