RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC--(Marketwire - August 29, 2008) - Despite regulations restricting
commercial teams' influence over MSL groups, these two groups still must
communicate to coordinate visits and other activities. A new report from
Cutting Edge Information, titled "The Changing MSL Role"
(
www.MSLPerformance.com), provides examples of how some companies walk the
tightrope of OIG and PhRMA compliance guidelines while managing speaker
bureaus and field call schedules.
Cutting Edge Information's study concludes that MSLs interact with the
commercial side at 69% of surveyed companies. This coordination includes
brand and therapeutic area teams and sales groups. While communication
with marketing teams does not violate OIG guidelines, companies must
carefully manage these communications to ensure that any exchange of
information remains compliant. To ensure compliant practices, many
companies have put firewalls in place between MSLs and marketing groups.
"As long as medical liaisons follow regulatory guidelines, there is no
problem communicating with commercial teams," says Elio Evangelista, lead
author of the report. "But they need to be careful not to directly
influence commercial decisions or promote off-label products, either of
which is likely to be a code violation and bring public scrutiny to their
company."
"The Changing MSL Role" (
www.MSLPerformance.com) provides specific examples
of managing these communications and breakdowns of these communications by
company size, and also discusses many other issues related to the roles of
MSLs in modern pharmaceutical companies. The 203-page report was developed
from survey and interview data for 30 pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies. Its findings enable companies to improve their thought leader
management by maximizing their MSLs' value, scientific knowledge and
relationship-building skills.
This study covers these key aspects of MSL programs:
-- Structure, Budgets and Staffing
-- MSL Qualifications and Performance Measurement
-- Field Force Strategies and Communication
The report also contains 500+ metrics, including the following:
-- Number of thought leader relationships by company size
-- Degrees required by MSLs working with PCP thought leaders
-- Breakdowns of thought leader relationships by company size and
provider category
-- Ratio of MSLs to sales reps
Download a complimentary brochure here:
http://cuttingedgeinfo.com/mslperformance/PH115_Download.asp#body
Report Website:
www.MSLPerformance.com
Contact Information: Contact Information:
Elio Evangelista
919-433-0214