Medical Science Liaison

Medical science liaisons are experiencing a surge in demand for their services. As governing bodies such as the FDA continue to crack down on the role of pharmaceutical reps in selling off-label uses for drugs, the role of medical science liaison may fill that gap in the salesforce, according to the Wall Street Journal, via this report by Kaiser Health News.

Since medical science liaisons are clinically trained and experienced professionals who are employed as part of the medical staff of the pharmaceutical company, they are not considered to be part of the sales team, and are therefore able to market uses for drugs that sales reps are no longer allowed to discuss.

According to Kaiser Health News, the number of medical science liaisons employed by pharmaceutical companies has increased 48% since 2003, despite record-breaking layoffs experienced by pharmaceutical companies in 2008 and 2009.

What is a medical science liaison, sometimes referred to as a clinical science liaison? Learn more about the role of medical science liaison, required education and skills, and how to break into a career as a medical science liaison:

• Medical Science Liaison Career Profile
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Career Profile
• Non-clinical Job Options for Physicians