How to Progress your Medical Affairs Career

Medical Affairs teams are commonly referred to as the scientific bridge between the industry and stakeholders. The activities conducted by the Medical Affairs teams are post-approval focused, with primary obligations to provide scientific and clinical support for commercial products. Essentially, Medical Affairs professionals will communicate the complex data gathered from the clinical trials to healthcare professionals and stakeholders.

This complex data is communicated through various methods/materials to educate healthcare professionals about the product. For example, educational information, reports and discussions with industry practitioners. Medical Affairs teams are responsible for reviewing these materials to ensure that they comply with the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) code of practice.  In addition to these key responsibilities, a Medical Affairs team manages the relationship with key opinion leaders (KOLs).

Looking for the next step in your career? Click below to browse our current opportunities within Medical Affairs.

Typical Medical Affairs roles

Typical roles within the Medical Affairs sector are:

• Medical Director
• Head of Medical Affairs
• Medical Manager
• Medical Advisor
• Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
• Medical Lead

Typical Medical Affairs career progression options

If a career in Medical Affairs is what you strive for, a typical career progression could look like:

• An entry-level Medical Information role
• Medical Science Liaison
• Medical Advisor
• Senior Medical Advisor
• Medical Lead
• Medical Manager
• Associate Director
• Medical Director

How can you progress through a Medical Affairs Career Path?

If you are seeking to progress your career within Medical Affairs, you must assemble a broad skillset and gather relevant industry experience. In addition to this, you will need to complete several key tasks to accelerate your career progression. We have highlighted a few below:

1. Hold a PhD, Pharmacy or Medical Degree
   As a minimum, you will hold a PhD. Often Pharmacy and medical degrees are the requirement but not at all times.
   
   
2. Conduct Research
   Researching the sector will enable you to gain a better understanding of industry policies and best practices to be successful within your job role.
   
   
3. Final Signatory Certificate 
   Medical Affairs teams are responsible for reviewing communication materials developed by their company. Once these materials have been reviewed and approved, a senior-level professional within the team will then ‘’sign them off’’. To have the authority to do this, you will need to have gained the final signatory certification.
   It is only possible to be a final signatory if you are a pharmacist of GMC registered physician
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4. ABPI training 
   Continuing professional development (CPD) allows professionals to identify gaps in their capabilities and knowledge. By addressing these through regular training, you will become more efficient within your job role.

What are the barriers to a career in Medical Affairs?

To have an extensive career within this sector, you may potentially have to overcome some barriers:

• Failure to demonstrate industry experience could potentially turn off employers.
• A PhD or Masters in Life Sciences is essential to gain access to entry-level roles within the sector.
• The final signatory certificate is an important element to have gained to have if you are looking to progress your career toward Medical Director level
• For some Medical Affairs positions, you’ll need to be a Pharmacist or GMC registered doctor – in particular, Medical Advisor, Medical Manager and Medical Director
• The Medical Affairs sector is highly competitive. As a result, it can be very difficult to enter so persistence is key in getting your foot in the door with a business

Can you transition into the Medical Affairs sector without previous experience?

If you are looking to transition into the Medical Affairs sector from another industry, a PhD, Pharmacy, or Medical Degree is absolutely paramount. At entry level you need to demonstrate your understanding of Medical Affairs and why you want to move into the area. This, alongside specialist therapy knowledge aligned to a particular company, can help gain that first role.

Conclusion

A career within Medical Affairs can be a very rewarding career. Also, many healthcare professionals seek to work within the sector due to the diverse career opportunities available to them. To be successful in your application to work within Medical Affairs you will need to be passionate about drug and medicine development Furthermore, you will need to have a high level of knowledge and expertise in the industry.

Browse our current Medical Affairs jobs here.